Michael Chiesa vs. Anthony Pettis: What will go down:

Maybe the most important fight of Anthony Pettis' career.
A classic grappler versus striker matchup features on PPV at UFC 223 this weekend, as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player Michael 'Maverick' Chiesa faces former WEC and UFC Lightweight best Anthony 'Showtime' Pettis, with both men eager to bounce back off defeats.

Chiesa, fell victim to a controversial rear-naked choke loss to Kevin Lee, who subsequently earned an Interim title tilt from the victory. Pettis on the other hand, is 5-2 in his last seven outings, trying his hand at Featherweight after three consecutive losses at Lightweight, and in November last year, was forced to tap in the third round of his main event clash with Dustin Poirier with a crippling body lock breaking Pettis' rib.


A purple belt in BJJ under Luiz Cláudio and honing his craft at Sik Jitsu Fighting Systems, Colorado native Chiesa has established himself as one of the most dangerous grapplers at Lightweight today and with multiple submission victories since his Ultimate Fighter season 15 triumph, Michael 'Maverick' Chiesa was rightfully upset with the outcome of his most recent match, losing via rear-naked choke to the aforementioned Lee, ultimately causing him to lose out a premier title shot.  Giving up his back to 'The Motown Phenom' Chiesa began flexing his neck and arms with Lee synching in tight under the chin, and without a tap or without Chiesa losing consciousness, controversial referee Mario Yamasaki jumped in rather quickly, awarding Kevin Lee the first round finish. Yamasaki received some notable criticism, with many citing how the Brazilian should've let Chiesa 'go out' or tap, warranted considering Michael's vast Jiu-Jitsu background and knowledge. Holding victories over the likes of fellow UFC 223 Lightweight Al Iaquinta, Jim Miller and fellow slick grappling aces Francisco Trinaldo and Beneil Dariush, a victory over a former division kingpin in the from of 'Showtime' Pettis would certainly see his rank sky rocket at 155lbs.

Undoubtedly, Roufusport's Anthony Pettis has had one of the biggest falls from grace in modern mixed-martial arts history since his title defeat to Brazilian Welterweight mover Rafael Dos Anjos. The innovator of the patented 'Showtime' kick, the well rounded Pettis holds an incredibly impressive professional résumé, with multiple victories over 'Smooth' Benson Henderson, highlight reel stoppages over Joe Lauzon, Danny Castillo and 'Cowboy' Cerrone, Pettis was on course to go down as one of the best Lightweights in UFC history, until a three fight slide put his career and status in the promotion at risk. A drop to Featherweight proved successful for a brief spell, where a guillotine victory over Charles Oliveira earned him a short notice Interim title meeting with Max Holloway, losing for the first time via stoppage in the UFC 206 headliner.

Pettis is undeniably the more well rounded fighter of the pair, but it depends entirely on which Pettis shows up this weekend, if it's the gun-shy 'Showtime' as of late, it's Chiesa's fight to lose.

Michael Chiesa via unanimous decision.

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