Michael Chiesa’s tattoos include “Forever” and “Maverick” on his inner biceps, a winged 22 on his left chest, a tiger on his right ribs and a shaggy creature on his left upper arm. In a March 2026 UFC interview, he said 22 was his grandfather’s racing number and a family tribute.
The Forever Maverick lettering and winged 22 tattoo
With both arms raised in this celebration photo, “Forever” on Chiesa’s right inner bicep and “Maverick” on his left read together. Maverick is also his fighting nickname. The flowing letters are large and curl beyond the words.
The winged 22 sits on his left chest, with an orange halo-like detail above it. Chiesa told UFC in March 2026 that 22 was his grandfather’s racing number and mattered to his family. He discussed it ahead of an appearance in Seattle.
The tiger tattoo on his right ribs
A tiger’s head covers Chiesa’s right ribs and upper side, with orange coloring, dark stripes and green shapes around it. In the photo against Neil Magny, the animal’s face is clear, while the curve of his torso turns part of the design away from the camera.
The shorts cover its lower edge in this view. An earlier photo later on the page shows a smaller design in roughly the same area, before the larger tiger appeared.
The praying hands tattoo on his right shoulder
While grappling with Carlos Condit, Chiesa’s turned right shoulder shows praying hands, rays and a banner marked Psalm 144:1. A cross and bead-chain detail sit below the hands, with cloud shapes along the lower edge.
The verse is a specific biblical reference; the photos don’t give more detail about why he chose this arrangement.
The beast tattoo on his left upper arm
A side-profile photo shows a shaggy, fanged creature covering much of Chiesa’s left upper arm. Orange and brown tones contrast with blue-green areas, with tree and fence-like shapes around the figure. Body Art Guru describes it broadly as a beast; the image doesn’t establish a more specific identity.
The design wraps around the arm, so this side view reveals details that a front-facing pose hides.
The tattoos in his earlier Ultimate Fighter photograph
An older Ultimate Fighter photo shows the “Forever” and “Maverick” lettering already in place. The chest design is partly obscured by hair and lighting. On Chiesa’s right side, the smaller outlined tattoo and text differ from the larger tiger visible in later photos.
He won The Ultimate Fighter’s live season in 2012. The comparison shows how the right-side artwork changed in scale; it doesn’t give the date or process behind the later piece.
Life in the Octagon
Chiesa later competed at welterweight. This event photo shows him in the cage beside announcer Bruce Buffer, offering a view of the setting rather than a close look at any tattoo.
For comparison, Chris Duncan’s winged heart fills the center of his chest, while Chiesa’s winged number sits off to one side. The video below is Chiesa’s UFC 310 Octagon interview.