UFC on ESPN 69: Michael Chiesa vs Court McGee

At UFC on ESPN 69 on June 14, 2025, inside the energetic State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Michael Chiesa and Court McGee met in a grueling welterweight battle that highlighted the art of wrestling and positional control. Chiesa, a veteran grappler with a well-earned reputation for his slick submissions and tactical ground game, entered the fight riding momentum from recent victories, aiming to reestablish himself firmly among the division’s top contenders. Opposite him, McGee, the gritty and relentless inaugural winner of The Ultimate Fighter, brought decades of experience and a fighting spirit that had earned him a devoted fan base, despite coming off a recent setback.

Right from the opening bell, Chiesa set the tone by imposing his wrestling dominance. Using sharp entries and calculated setups, he repeatedly took McGee down, methodically advancing position and controlling the pace. On the feet, Chiesa mixed precise jabs and kicks to maintain range, but his focus was clear: bring the fight to the mat. McGee showed his trademark toughness by actively scrambling and attempting to reverse positions whenever possible, refusing to be comfortably controlled. He threatened with occasional strikes from his back and worked hard to create openings to escape, but Chiesa’s pressure and control kept him firmly locked down.

The second round saw both fighters dig deeper. Chiesa continued to pick his moments, shooting for takedowns with timing and patience, while McGee ramped up his defensive wrestling. Despite McGee’s efforts to chain wrestle back to his feet or scramble to a better spot, Chiesa’s top control was effective, landing ground-and-pound shots that cumulatively wore McGee down. The pace of the fight was measured but intense, with Chiesa showing maturity and composure in mixing positional dominance with opportunistic striking.

In the third and final round, Chiesa’s command became even clearer. He increased his output of takedowns and strikes from top position, maintaining relentless pressure while avoiding unnecessary risks. McGee, though visibly fatigued, never gave up and kept trying to change the momentum, but the accumulation of control and damage had shifted decisively. By the time the final horn sounded, Chiesa had done enough to secure the unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 30–27, 30–27, and 29–28 in his favor.

This victory marked an important step for Michael Chiesa, improving his record to 19 wins and 7 losses and reinforcing his standing as a top-tier grappling specialist capable of grinding down tough opponents. For Court McGee, now at 29 wins and 12 losses, the loss was a setback but did little to diminish his legacy as a battle-tested warrior who consistently brought heart and resilience to the cage.

The fight showcased a classic contrast of styles — Chiesa’s technical wrestling and positional control against McGee’s durability and grit. While the bout lacked explosive finishes, the chess match of mat control and strategy provided an insightful look at high-level MMA grappling. Both fighters demonstrated their strengths and reinforced why wrestling remains a foundational element in the welterweight division.