Spokane’s Michael Chiesa picks up big UFC victory

TAMPA, Fla. – Spokane’s Michael Chiesa scored the biggest UFC win of his career Saturday with a second-round submission of Beneil Dariush.

Dariush (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) started strongly in Round 1, forcing Chiesa (14-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) to push in and initiate a clinch against the cage.

Chiesa scored a takedown in the second round. Dariush defended the subsequent choke well, but Chiesa locked his elbow across the jaw and squeezed until Dariush was forced to tap out at the 1:20 mark of Round 2.

“This win feels amazing,” Chiesa said. “This is a fight that I asked for, so I definitely had something to prove. It was really important for me to win and keeping moving through my journey to success. I want to be champion.”

The lightweight bout closed out the preliminary card at Amalie Arena.