Las Vegas - UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa enjoyed what may have been the best weekend of his life after beating Max Griffin at UFC 310 on Saturday night.

Chiesa (18-7) not only finishes 2024 with two victories in the UFC, but he earned his black belt the night before UFC 310.

"I got my black belt last night at my weigh-in dinner," Chiesa told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

"I didn't add any pressure because of that, but it definitely felt very good to go out there on the backend of that moment. It's been a very special 24 hours for me."

The longtime UFC welterweight also celebrated his birthday on fight night turning 37-years-old.

"I'm not going to lie. The two of these, between getting my black belt last night and getting a submission win on my birthday, I don't think I'll ever have a better 24 hour stretch in my life. Outside of my wedding," he said.

"I'm very, very happy with my performance."

Up next is, Chiesa hopes, UFC Seattle which was confirmed for Feb 22 during the broadcast.

"I asked Sean (Shelby) if they had a main event. I saw him backstage when I was walking back. He said he saved a spot for me, kind of put the ball in my court, we'll see what happens. I tweaked my thumb pretty good. My thumb knuckle's all blown up," said Chiesa.

"We'll see what happens. My wife's birthday's on Friday so I'm going to take a little bit of time and just decompress. Going to go to Lake Tahoe for the weekend, come home, get back to fighting. I put that responsibility on my team to make those decisions. If they think it's good for me to do it, I'm going to do it."

Being on the card would be great, but to headline UFC Seattle would be another level for Chiesa.

"The main event slot would really sweeten the pot, but I think that they have somebody so we'll see what happens. Just got to make sure I'm smart about it, but I've got to admit it's good to be active again."