Michael Chiesa thrives on a demanding schedule, balancing his fighting career with broadcasting roles. He recently discussed how he manages these commitments,including his planning for a bout against McGee at State Farm Arena. Chiesa joked that he would work at the desk this weekend, stepping into the Octagon to compete before returning to his broadcasting duties, similar to din Thomas’s dual role as a commentator and cornerman at UFC events.

“My initial dream was to get into the UFC,” said Chiesa, who is currently on a two-fight winning streak. “After being on The Ultimate Fighter, I really wanted to be an analyst, be a commentator, and at that point, to make that move, you’ve got to make decisions about ‘How many irons do I want in the fire?'”

Juggling Multiple Careers in MMA

Chiesa explained that fighters have limited time to generate income and explore other opportunities.He initially chose to focus solely on MMA, a decision that ultimately paid off, leading to opportunities in broadcasting. He enjoys his daily work, even the late nights spent studying fights.

“I know how I got into the UFC – I’m a good fighter, I’m a world-class fighter – but the broadcasting stuff? I didn’t go to college!”

“As a fighter, your time is very limited, so you’ve got to find ways to generate different sources of income and stuff like that, but I was like, ‘No, I’m all-in on MMA.’ I pushed all-in and it paid off. I got my opportunities to try to crack the lineup as a broadcaster. I get to do what I love every single day,even the times I gotta stay up super-late because I’m studying fights; I love every second of it.

Gratitude for Broadcasting Opportunities

Chiesa expressed deep gratitude for his broadcasting career, considering it almost as fulfilling as competing. He acknowledges his fighting skills helped him enter the UFC, but his broadcasting role feels like a blessing he never anticipated, especially without a college education. he cherishes the opportunity and never takes it for granted.

“This is gonna sound odd, but its almost as big a blessing to me as being a competitor, if not more,” he said of getting to work on the broadcast side of things and continuing building that skill set.”I know how I got into the UFC – I’m a good fighter, I’m a world-class fighter – but the broadcasting stuff? I didn’t go to college! I still don’t know how it happened, and that makes me have that much more gratitude for those opportunities because it’s something I was very blessed with, I never take for granted, and something that I love doing; I love it so much.”