The UFC will host it’s second event of it’s third tenure on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi tonight with a headlining welterweight clash between former Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny.
After many years as a lightweight that just could not quite seem the win the big one, Michael Chiesa has been rejuvenated since moving up to 170-pounds.
The American was previously the victim of a debilitating weight cut that was evidently impacting his performances in the Octagon and led to him leaving the division with a 7-4 record after two consecutive losses to Kevin Lee and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
As a welterweight Chiesa looks in peak physical condition, and he is far more able to show off his strength and conditioning as he is not severely limiting himself by cutting excessive pounds from his six foot three frame.
‘Maverick’ quickly acclimatised to taking on larger opponents in the heavier weight-class, dispatching perennial contender Carlos Condit with a second round kimura before outpointing veteran Diego Sanchez and in the most impressive victory of his career, former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.
His next step will be towards the upper echelon of the 170-ers, but Neil Magny stands in his way.
While Magny may have been in the UFC welterweight division longer than Chiesa, he really has reached a turning point in recent fights, and appears to be at his very best right now.
After a devastating fourth round knockout loss to Santiago Ponzinibbio in November 2018, the American tested positive for a banned substance, and he used his time on the shelf to develop his skills to higher levels, and he certainly has completed that tasks.
The 33-year-old has a three-fight win streak of his own to defend after racking up decision wins over Li Jingliang, Anthony Rocco Martin and most impressively the former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler.
In terms of who the more rounded fighter is, Magny has that by quite the distance, and he also holds a five-inch reach advantage over his opponent along with superior striking.
But it is Chiesa that is the more threatening in one discipline, with the grappler having a significant advantage in the ground exchanges.
Neither man has a high proportion of finishes, so strength and conditioning could really come into play as we reach the championship rounds.
A win for either man could be a gateway to bigger and better things in this welterweight division, so it is worth checking this event out in spite of it taking the role of the ‘forgotten card’ in such a busy week on Fight Island.
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