Michael Chiesa (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Now that Michael Chiesa’s welterweight run is underway in the UFC, the fighter can’t believe what he put himself through for so long, in order to compete at 155.

Following his submission loss to Anthony Pettis last July, Chiesa (15-4) committed to leaving lightweight behind. In December, the former TUF winner submitted longtime, welterweight contender Carlos Condit.

In advance of Chiesa’s bout with Diego Sanchez this Saturday at UFC 239, “Maverick” had this to say about his days, competing in the lightweight division (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“Honestly in hindsight I feel stupid because I just can’t believe that I did that to myself for so long,” Chiesa said. “I pride myself on being a mentally tough guy and just last year around this time, that mental toughness played against me.

“I forced myself into a fight I really shouldn’t have fought. I was still forcing myself into that weight cut and I just look back on it and I can’t believe I was doing that to myself in the few days before a fight.”

“…Now we’re getting into this era where let’s be smarter. Dumb and tough goes a long way in this sport but to be elite, you’ve got to be smarter. Dumb and tough is not going to get you to the top of the mountain. You’ve got to be smart, you’ve got to be tactical…”

Sanchez (29-11), who has fought as low as featherweight in his career, is coming off a stoppage win over Mickey Gall in March.