Michael Keith Chiesa is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is known for his unique movement, powerful punches, and quick strikes. Michael has won 16 out of the 20 professional fights he has fought. Chiesa has some of the most beautiful and interesting tattoos in the MMA world. Let us take a look at the tattoos he has and the meanings behind them.
1. ‘Praying Hands’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The right shoulder of the fighter contains a tattoo of two hands joined in prayer, holding a rosemary bead necklace that is hanging below with a cross as a pendant. The hands are bleeding and are covered in bandages. There are rays of shine emitting from behind the hands covering the upper background of the tattoo. The lower half is completed by tattoos of clouds in the background. The wrists of the hands are wrapped by a banner with the word, “Psalm 144:1” tattooed inside the banner.
Meaning: The hands which are praying and bleeding are actually Michael’s own hands. He is a fighter and gives his all to his work but owes it all to God. The Psalm 144:1 tattooed along with the hands says, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”
2. ‘Tiger’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The right side of his body, including his ribcage and stomach, contains a large tattoo of the face of a tiger. There is green grass done in the tiger’s background to complete the piece and lift it up.
Meaning: The tiger tattoo was done to cover up his old tattoo whose traces are still seen. The tiger represents courage and dominance. Some people even say that the tiger tattoo was a rip off from Conor McGregor as the two have some history.
3. ’22’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The left side of his chest contains a very special tattoo. It contains the number, “22” tattooed on it. The number also has wings spreading from both sides and a burning halo ring over its head.
Meaning: When asked about the tattoo, Michael spoke very little but revealed that the number 22 is very important to him and his family.
4. ‘Yeti’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The left thigh of the fighter contains a large tattoo of a yeti. But the yeti is not portrayed as friendly, it is shown as a vicious and menacing beast. Its eyes are flaming red and it has large claws. The yeti is also holding the head of a snowman in his right hand.
Meaning: The beastly tattoo is not the only one on Michael’s body. The tattoo might have a hidden meaning but one meaning is clear, which is not to mess with Michael Chiesa.
5. ‘Badge’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The inner side of his left knee contains a tattoo of a yellow badge. The badge has the letter, “C” tattooed inside it.
Meaning: The ‘C‘ stands for Chiesa which is his family name.
6. ‘Paw’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The upper side of Michael’s left foot contains a tattoo of the paw of a beast.
7. Back Tattoo
Tattoo: Michael’s back contains a large tattoo of his family name, “Chiesa” tattooed across it.
Meaning: Chiesa is really proud of his family and his name so he got it tattooed across his back. Another reason behind it was so that fighters would know to beware of the name, Chiesa.
8. ‘Beast’ Tattoo
Tattoo: The left shoulder of the fighter contains a large tattoo of a beast. The beast is in the backyard of a house with trees in the background and a fence and covers most of his left upper arm.
Meaning: This is another one of the beast tattoos that Michael has.
9. ‘Forever and Maverick’ Tattoos
Tattoo: The right bicep of the MMA contains the word, “Forever” tattooed on it. Similarly, the left bicep of the fighter has the word, “Maverick” tattooed on it.
Meaning: The words together spell out the line, “Forever Maverick“. Maverick is the nickname given to Michael Chiesa. And this tattoo, Forever Maverick stands for his dominance and shows how he wants to stay at the top.
