Michael Chiesa to Retire Following March 28 Bout Against Carlston Harris

Spokane-based welterweight Michael Harris (19-7) will end his MMA career after facing Carlston Harris at UFC Fight Night in Seattle.

Michael Chiesa will conclude his professional mixed martial arts career on March 28 at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The 38-year-old welterweight, who currently holds a professional record of 19 wins and 7 losses, has officially selected UFC Fight Night as the venue for his final competitive appearance. Standing across from him for this 170-pound farewell will be Carlston Harris, a veteran opponent tasked with providing the final challenge for the Spokane-based athlete. This specific date marks the end of a tenure that began with a victory on The Ultimate Fighter: Live in 2012.

Statistically, Chiesa enters this contest having secured 11 of his 19 career victories via submission, underscoring a grappling-centric approach that defined his decade-plus run within the promotion. His most recent outing occurred in June 2025, meaning he will have navigated a nine-month hiatus before stepping back into the Octagon for the twenty-seventh time as a professional. The March event represents the first time the UFC has returned to the Emerald City since 2013, providing a localized backdrop for the Washington native to hang up his gloves.

At 38, the fighter known as 'Maverick' has competed across two weight classes, originally finding success in the lightweight division before transitioning to welterweight in December 2018. His 170-pound run included a four-fight winning streak against high-profile names like Carlos Condit and Rafael dos Anjos. However, the upcoming clash with Harris is strictly about closure rather than divisional climbing. The choice to retire in Seattle aligns with his roots in the Pacific Northwest, where he initially developed his wrestling base before joining the Sik-Jitsu camp in Spokane.

Carlston Harris brings a record of 20-6 into this matchup, serving as a formidable gatekeeper for Chiesa’s final walk to the cage. The bout is scheduled for three rounds, a distance Chiesa has gone 11 times throughout his career. While the 19-7 veteran has faced elite strikers and world-class wrestlers alike, this 2026 appearance is focused on the legacy of a fighter who transitioned from a reality show winner to a perennial top-15 mainstay. The physical toll of the sport and a desire to transition into full-time broadcasting roles have been cited as primary drivers for this definitive exit strategy.

Logistically, the March 28 card will serve as a homecoming for several regional athletes, but the retirement of the former TUF champion remains the central narrative. Chiesa’s career has spanned 14 years, during which he earned multiple 'Performance of the Night' bonuses for his technical prowess on the mat. As the clock ticks toward the spring event, the focus shifts to his training camp in Eastern Washington, where he is preparing for the final 15 minutes of his active sporting life. Regardless of the official decision rendered by the judges or a potential stoppage, the Spokane resident has made it clear that his gloves will remain in the center of the Octagon once the final horn sounds in Seattle.