Chiesa smothers Magny, earns decision in UFC main event

Michael Chiesa defeated Neil Magny via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) in UFC Fight Night's welterweight main event on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Chiesa put on a grappling clinic to earn his first career UFC main-event win in his second overall headlining spot.

Chiesa's performance was virtually flawless, dominating Magny on the mat over the course of five rounds and suffocating him with takedowns. "Maverick" consistently out-scrambled Magny in grappling exchanges, which led to him getting into full mount multiple times.

Magny - who benefited from a 4.5-inch reach advantage - looked to take Chiesa down a few times as well, but he often wound up on the bottom of his opponent.

Chiesa, the No. 8-ranked welterweight, has now won four straight fights with the victory. All four triumphs have occurred after his move up to the welterweight division in 2018. The 33-year-old hadn't fought since beating former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos in January 2020.

Magny's three-fight winning streak came to an end, with this defeat marking his first loss since Santiago Ponzinibbio knocked him out in November 2018.