Jonathan Pearce (fighter)

Jonathan Pearce (born May 1, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Jonathan Mark Pearce
Born (1992-05-01) May 1, 1992
Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S.
Other namesJSP
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionLightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofScottsdale, Arizona, United States
TeamD-Evil MMA (until 2017)[2]
Team Oxendine (2017–present)[3][4]
MMA Lab (2018–2019)[5]
Fight Ready MMA & Fitness (2019–present)[5]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[6] under Casey Oxendine[7]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins14
By knockout9
By submission2
By decision3
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Having begun wrestling at the age of 12, Pearce was a state runner-up wrestler at Science Hill High School.[8][9]

In 2014, Pearce was blindsided by a disgruntled gym member, after the gym “bully” clocked him from behind after Pearce called out his ongoing rude behavior. Pearce went unconscious and had his head bashed by a heavy follow-up kick. The attack caused Pearce to suffer a broken neck, 19 broken teeth, a severed tongue, and had to undergo reconstructive jaw surgery. He still has two plates and eight screws in his face.[10][11] After the incident, Pearce dropped out of college in pursuit of a professional mixed martial arts career.[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

In his MMA debut at CFFC 73, he knocked out Noe Quintanilla in the third round, going on to defeat his next three opponents in Chris Wright, Anthony Morgan, and Nickalas Martino.[12]

After going 4–0 to start his career, his fiancée called off their wedding and he would lose the next three bouts, two by first round submission.[10] Also after the third straight loss, in 2017, Pearce went to get medicals done for his next fight and doctors discovered he had a clay-shoveler fracture of two vertebrae in his neck, likely from the 2015 attack. A clay-shoveler fracture is an avulsion in which a small piece of bone tears away from the bigger piece.[11]

Pearce tapped out Damir Ferhatbegovic via rear-naked choke in round three at Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Bristol on August 19, 2017. He defeated Omar Johnson via TKO in the second round at Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Talladega on October 13, 2017. He would defeat his next two opponents in Nick Baker and Dedrek Sanders, both via second round TKO.[12]

Dana White's Contender Series

After 4 victories in a row, Pearce was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 19 on July 9, 2019. He took on Jacob Rosales and defeated him via TKO in the third round and securing a UFC contract.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Pearce made his UFC debut against UFC vet Joe Lauzon, who was coming off an 18 month hiatus, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman.[14] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[15]

Pearce was scheduled to face Sean Woodson on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark.[16] However, Woodson withdrew a week before the event due to unknown reasons and was replaced by Kai Kamaka III.[17] He won the bout via TKO in the second round.[18]

Pearce was scheduled to face Gabriel Benítez on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka.[19] At weigh ins, Benítez weighed in at 150.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title limit. Pearce turned down the fight due to the weight miss and the bout was scrapped.[20]

Pearce faced Omar Morales on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266.[21] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.[22]

Pearce was scheduled to face Austin Lingo on February 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 201.[23] However, Lingo pulled out due to undisclosed reasons,[24] and was replaced by Christian Rodriguez.[25] Pearce won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Pearce faced Makwan Amirkhani on July 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 208.[27] He won the bout via TKO in the second round.[28] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[29]

Pearce faced Darren Elkins on December 3, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 42.[30] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[31]

Pearce was scheduled to face Bryce Mitchell on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288.[32] However, Pearce was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury.[33]

Pearce is scheduled to face Joanderson Brito on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232.[34]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
18 matches 14 wins 4 losses
By knockout 9 1
By submission 2 2
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 14–4 Darren Elkins Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland December 3, 2022 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 13–4 Makwan Amirkhani TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall July 23, 2022 2 4:10 London, England Performance of the Night.
Win 12–4 Christian Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill February 19, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–4 Omar Morales Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 266 September 25, 2021 2 3:31 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–4 Kai Kamaka III TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark November 28, 2020 2 4:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Featherweight.
Loss 9–4 Joe Lauzon TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman October 18, 2019 1 1:33 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 9–3 Jacob Rosales TKO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series 19 July 9, 2019 3 1:50 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–3 Dedrek Sanders TKO (doctor stoppage) Warrior FC 140 September 21, 2018 2 5:00 Asheville, North Carolina, United States
Win 7–3 Nick Baker TKO (punches) Strikefest 2 December 16, 2017 2 1:12 Gray, Tennessee, United States Catchweight (150 lb) bout.
Win 6–3 Omar Johnson TKO (punches) Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Talladega October 13, 2017 2 3:57 Talladega, Alabama, United States
Win 5–3 Damir Ferhatbegović Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Bristol August 19, 2017 3 0:43 Bristol, Tennessee, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 4–3 Peter Petties Decision (unanimous) Shogun Fights 16 April 8, 2017 3 5:00 Baltimore, Maryland, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 4–2 Quinten Culpepper Submission (toe hold) Valor Fights 37 August 27, 2016 1 3:27 Cleveland, Tennessee, United States
Loss 4–1 Lance Lawrence Submission (rear-naked choke) Valor Fights 35 June 25, 2016 1 0:24 Gray, Tennessee, United States
Win 4–0 Nickalas Martino TKO (elbows) APEX Fights 10 March 19, 2016 2 2:52 Kingsport, Tennessee, United States Catchweight (160 lb) bout.
Win 3–0 Chris Wright TKO (punches) Valor Fights 26 September 12, 2015 1 4:26 Blountville, Tennessee, United States Catchweight (140 lb) bout.
Win 2–0 Anthony Morgan Decision (unanimous) Valor Fights 23 June 6, 2015 3 5:00 Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States
Win 1–0 Noe Quintanilla KO (knee) Evolution Combat Sports Series 2 November 8, 2014 3 0:22 Elizabethton, Tennessee, United States Featherweight debut.

[35]

See also

References
  1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  2. Valor Fighting Challenge (April 26, 2016). Apex Fights 10 Bout 12 Jonathan Pearce vs Nick Martino – via YouTube.
  3. Jonathan Pearce [@jspmma] (December 1, 2017). "More that ready for this next fight. Me and my boy have been getting it @teamoxendine dec16 th Appalachian Fairgrounds" – via Instagram.
  4. Valor Fighting Challenge (January 29, 2018). Strikefest 2 Bout 10 Nick Baker Vs Jonathan Pearce – via YouTube.
  5. MMA Info Magazine (March 12, 2021). UFC FIGHTER Jonathan Pearce talks about last performances – via YouTube.
  6. "Jonathan Pearce | UFC". UFC.com. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  7. Jonathan Pearce [@jspmma] (July 29, 2020). "Got my purple belt today under @oxvaletudo" – via Instagram.
  8. Birchfield, Jeff. "More opportunities likely for Pearce after big win". Johnson City Press. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. Todd Rhino (October 3, 2021). "CSWR #95 – Jonathan Pearce" (Podcast).
  10. "Broken bones and a broken heart: DWCS 19's Jonathan Pearce already faced his toughest battle". MMA Junkie. July 8, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  11. "Jonathan Pearce found a new inspiration for chasing his UFC dream". ESPN.com. July 9, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  12. "Across the Pond Profile: UFC fighter Jonathan Pearce | MMA UK". March 12, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  13. "Johnson City native Jonathan Pearce gets UFC contract after win on ESPN+". WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. July 12, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  14. "Joe Lauzon returns from 18-month layoff, fights Jonathan Pearce at UFC on ESPN 6". MMA Junkie. September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  15. Doherty, Dan (October 18, 2019). "UFC Boston Results: Joe Lauzon Stops Jonathan Pearce, Indecisive on Retirement". Cageside Press. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  16. Mike Heck (October 13, 2020). "Sean Woodson vs. Jonathan Pearce targeted for UFC event on Nov. 28". mmafighting.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  17. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (November 21, 2020). "Kai Kamaka steps in for Sean Woodson, fights Jonathan Pearce at UFC on ESPN 18". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  18. McClory, Mike (November 28, 2020). "UFC Vegas 15 Results: Jonathan Pearce Stops Kai Kamaka III". Cageside Press. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  19. Alexander K. Lee and Mike Heck (March 2, 2021). "Gabriel Benitez vs. Jonathan Pearce booked for UFC event on May 1". mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  20. Staff (April 30, 2021). "Jonathan Pearce says he said no to overweight Gabriel Benitez, UFC on ESPN 23 fight off". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  21. Behunin, Alex (August 19, 2021). "Omar Morales vs. Jonathan Pearce Added To UFC 266". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  22. Evanoff, Josh (September 25, 2021). "UFC 266 Results: Jonathan Pearce Submits Omar Morales". Cageside Press. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  23. Marcel Dorff (October 16, 2021). "Austin Lingo vs. Jonathan Pearce toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 19 februari". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  24. Staff and Nolan King (February 8, 2022). "Julian Marquez, Austin Lingo out of UFC Fight Night 201 matchups". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  25. Meshew, Jed (February 15, 2022). "Jonathan Pearce now meets Christian Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 48". MMA Fighting. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  26. Bitter, Shawn (February 19, 2022). "UFC Vegas 48: Jonathan Pearce Takes Decision Against Game Christian Rodriguez". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  27. Marcel Dorff (April 30, 2022). "UFC London | Alles wat je moet weten over UFC Fight Night London: Blaydes vs. Aspinall". Eurosport (in Dutch). Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  28. Dan Hiergesell (June 23, 2022). "Highlights: Jonathan Pearce dominates Makwan Amirkhani for TKO stoppage". mmamania.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  29. Dan Hiergesell (July 23, 2022). "UFC London bonuses: Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann lead $50K winners". mmamania.com. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  30. "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Aug. 29-Sept. 4)". MMA Junkie. September 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  31. Doherty, Dan (December 3, 2022). "UFC Orlando: Jonathan Pearce Batters Bloodied Darren Elkins". Cageside Press. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  32. Alex Behunin (February 12, 2023). "Bryce Mitchell vs. Jonathan Pearce booked for UFC 288 on May 6". MMAmania.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  33. "Injury forces Jonathan Pearce out of UFC 288 bout vs. Bryce Mitchell". MMA Junkie. April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
  34. Sherdog.com. "Featherweights Jonathan Pearce, Joanderson Brito Booked for UFC Fight Night 232". Sherdog. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  35. Sherdog.com. "Jonathan Pearce". Sherdog. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
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