Michael Chiesa Setting Sights on Title Contention with Victory Over Anthony Pettis at UFC 223
Michael
Chiesa is looking at getting back into title contention when he
meets former champion Anthony
Pettis at
UFC 223 on April 7 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chiesa has not fought since his controversial defeat to Kevin Lee in June last year. Chiesa lost the fight via rear-naked choke, although was adamant at the time he didn’t tap or lose consciousness. He appealed the decision to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to overturn the result, claiming referee Mario Yamasaki made an incorrect call when he stopped the bout. Chiesa (14-3) was riding a three-fight winning streak before the loss
He appeared recently on Submission Radio and gave his thoughts on what a win over the former champion Pettis would do for his title ambitions (via Bloody Elbow):
“It’s perfect. I think it’s meant to be. You know what I mean? This is the card that I was meant to be on. You got Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, you got me and Pettis, Khabib and Ferguson. I mean, that’s six of the finest lightweights on the roster. I really believe that if I go out there and do what I believe I’m capable of on April 7th, I think that it’s really launching me into the top five, and I’m looking to be No. 1 contender by the end of the year.”
Chiesa has not fought since his controversial defeat to Kevin Lee in June last year. Chiesa lost the fight via rear-naked choke, although was adamant at the time he didn’t tap or lose consciousness. He appealed the decision to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to overturn the result, claiming referee Mario Yamasaki made an incorrect call when he stopped the bout. Chiesa (14-3) was riding a three-fight winning streak before the loss
He appeared recently on Submission Radio and gave his thoughts on what a win over the former champion Pettis would do for his title ambitions (via Bloody Elbow):
“It’s perfect. I think it’s meant to be. You know what I mean? This is the card that I was meant to be on. You got Paul Felder, Al Iaquinta, you got me and Pettis, Khabib and Ferguson. I mean, that’s six of the finest lightweights on the roster. I really believe that if I go out there and do what I believe I’m capable of on April 7th, I think that it’s really launching me into the top five, and I’m looking to be No. 1 contender by the end of the year.”
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