Is a chance at victory enough to secure Michael Chiesa’s place in the UFC lightweight division?
The answer, he hopes, will be a resounding yes after his upcoming fight against Bryan Barberena at UFC 310 on December 7th. Even though it’s not an opponent ranked in the top-15 of lightweight, Chiesa sees this as a valuable opportunity to test himself and get back into the rhythm of competition.
While some might view the matchup with Barberena as less than ideal, especially given the odds released for the fight on FanDuel – where Chiesa is a +108 underdog while Barberena is a -138 favorite. Chiesa admits he was surprised to find himself facing an underdog status, “I saw that this morning. I don’t pay attention to it, it’s a fight, not a math equation. But, I was pretty surprised by it.”
Despite those odds and the challenge ahead, Chiesa remains undaunted. He believes he has faced tougher competition than Barberena, having gone head-to-head with veteran fighters like Trinaldo that have demanded 15-minute rounds of fierce combat. “I’ve fought guys tooth and nail for 15 minutes,” said Chiesa as he looked ahead to Saturday’s fight. “It’s nothing new to me.”
He acknowledges Barberena’s reputation as a durable fighter, but feels confident in his ability to match him blow-for-blow. “I do feel like I have had more success fighting higher-level guys and no one submitted Tony Ferguson in the first round, I was like the second guy to submit Jim Miller. I do think my strength of schedule has been a lot tougher than his,” he explains.
The fight is a chance to prove himself, to showcase the skills that have earned him a reputation for delivering high-intensity combat. He’s not looking ahead or dwelling on the immediate future. “It’s hard to say. I don’t look ahead like that anymore,” he concludes. “I’m focused on the present moment and not wondering what comes next.”
Whether or not his hand is raised in victory, Chiesa hopes for one thing – a chance to fight another great competitor and keep building towards his long-term goals within the sport.
Is it enough? Time will tell.