Jonathan Pearce (fighter) explained

Jonathan Mark Pearce
Other Names:JSP
Birth Date:1 May 1992
Birth Place:Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S.
Weight Lb:145
Weight Class:Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight
Reach:71 in[1]
Rank:Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] under Casey Oxendine[3]
Fighting Out Of:Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Team:D-Evil MMA (until 2017)[4]
Team Oxendine (2017–present)[5] [6]
MMA Lab (2018–2019)[7]
Fight Ready MMA & Fitness (2019–present)
Years Active:2014–present
Mma Kowin:9
Mma Subwin:2
Mma Decwin:3
Mma Koloss:1
Mma Subloss:3
Mma Decloss:2
Sherdog:183541

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

Background

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

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.[9] [10] After the incident, Pearce dropped out of college in pursuit of a professional mixed martial arts career.[11]

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. 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.

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

Dana White's Contender Series

After 4 victories in a row, Pearce was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 19 on . 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 .[14] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[15]

Pearce was scheduled to face Sean Woodson on November 28, 2020, at .[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 .[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 faced Joanderson Brito on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232.[34] He lost the fight via a ninja choke submission in the second round.[35]

Pearce faced David Onama on April 17, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55.[36] At the weigh-ins, David Onama weighted 148.5 pounds, which was 2.5 pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Onama being fined 20% of his purse which went to Pearce.[37] Pearce lost the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|14–6|David Onama|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Loss|align=center|14–5|Joanderson Brito|Submission (ninja choke)|||align=center|2|align=center|3:54|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States ||-|Win|align=center|14–4|Darren Elkins|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Orlando, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–4|Makwan Amirkhani|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|2|align=center|4:10|London, England||-|Win|align=center|12–4|Christian Rodriguez|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center| 11–4|Omar Morales|Submission (rear-naked choke)|UFC 266||align=center|2|align=center|3:31|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 10–4| Kai Kamaka III|TKO (punches)|||align=center| 2|align=center| 4:28|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 9–4| Joe Lauzon|TKO (punches)| ||align=center|1|align=center|1:33|Boston, Massachusetts, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 9–3| Jacob Rosales| TKO (punch)| Dana White's Contender Series 19| | align=center| 3| align=center| 1:50| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–3| Dedrek Sanders| TKO (doctor stoppage)| Warrior FC 140| | align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| Asheville, North Carolina, United States||-| Win| align=center| 7–3|Nick Baker|TKO (punches)|Strikefest 2||align=center|2|align=center|1:12|Gray, Tennessee, United States||-| Win| align=center|6–3| Omar Johnson|TKO (punches)|Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Talladega||align=center|2|align=center|3:57|Talladega, Alabama, United States||-| Win| align=center|5–3| Damir Ferhatbegović|Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Bristol| | align=center|3| align=center|0:43 | Bristol, Tennessee, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 4–3| Peter Petties| Decision (unanimous)| Shogun Fights 16| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Baltimore, Maryland, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 4–2| Quinten Culpepper| Submission (toe hold)| Valor Fights 37||align=Center|1|align=center|3:27|Cleveland, Tennessee, United States| |-| Loss| align=center| 4–1| Lance Lawrence| Submission (rear-naked choke)|Valor Fights 35||align=center|1|align=center|0:24|Gray, Tennessee, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–0| Nickalas Martino| TKO (elbows)|APEX Fights 10||align=center|2|align=center|2:52|Kingsport, Tennessee, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Chris Wright| TKO (punches)| Valor Fights 26| | align=center| 1| align=center| 4:26| Blountville, Tennessee, United States| |-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Anthony Morgan| Decision (unanimous)| Valor Fights 23| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Noe Quintanilla| KO (knee)| Evolution Combat Sports Series 2| | align=center| 3| align=center| 0:22| Elizabethton, Tennessee, United States|[39]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2020-10-04. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: Jonathan Pearce UFC. UFC.com. September 24, 2019 . February 19, 2022.
  3. CDNVqUSp4OO. Jonathan Pearce. jspmma. July 29, 2020. Got my purple belt today under @oxvaletudo.
  4. Apex Fights 10 Bout 12 Jonathan Pearce vs Nick Martino. April 26, 2016. YouTube. Valor Fighting Challenge.
  5. BcK5elgD2zl. More that ready for this next fight. Me and my boy have been getting it @teamoxendine dec16 th Appalachian Fairgrounds. December 1, 2017. Jonathan Pearce. jspmma.
  6. Strikefest 2 Bout 10 Nick Baker Vs Jonathan Pearce. January 29, 2018. YouTube. Valor Fighting Challenge.
  7. UFC FIGHTER Jonathan Pearce talks about last performances. March 12, 2021. YouTube. MMA Info Magazine.
  8. Web site: Birchfield. Jeff. More opportunities likely for Pearce after big win. 2021-04-21. Johnson City Press. December 6, 2020 . en.
  9. Web site: 2019-07-08. Broken bones and a broken heart: DWCS 19's Jonathan Pearce already faced his toughest battle. 2021-04-21. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  10. Web site: 2019-07-09. Jonathan Pearce found a new inspiration for chasing his UFC dream. 2021-04-21. ESPN.com. en.
  11. CSWR #95 – Jonathan Pearce. October 3, 2021. Todd Rhino.
  12. Web site: 2020-03-12. Across the Pond Profile: UFC fighter Jonathan Pearce MMA UK. 2021-04-21. en-GB.
  13. Web site: 2019-07-12. Johnson City native Jonathan Pearce gets UFC contract after win on ESPN+. 2021-04-21. WJHL Tri-Cities News & Weather. en-US.
  14. Web site: 2019-09-06. Joe Lauzon returns from 18-month layoff, fights Jonathan Pearce at UFC on ESPN 6. 2019-09-06. MMA Junkie. en.
  15. Web site: Doherty. Dan. 2019-10-18. UFC Boston Results: Joe Lauzon Stops Jonathan Pearce, Indecisive on Retirement. 2019-10-19. Cageside Press. en-US.
  16. Web site: Mike Heck. 2020-10-13. Sean Woodson vs. Jonathan Pearce targeted for UFC event on Nov. 28. 2020-11-21. mmafighting.com.
  17. Web site: Nolan King and Farah Hannoun. 2020-11-21. Kai Kamaka steps in for Sean Woodson, fights Jonathan Pearce at UFC on ESPN 18. 2020-11-21. mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  18. Web site: McClory. Mike. 2020-11-28. UFC Vegas 15 Results: Jonathan Pearce Stops Kai Kamaka III. 2021-04-21. Cageside Press. en-US.
  19. Web site: Alexander K. Lee and Mike Heck. 2021-03-02. Gabriel Benitez vs. Jonathan Pearce booked for UFC event on May 1. 2021-03-02. mmafighting.com.
  20. Web site: Staff. 2021-04-30. Jonathan Pearce says he said no to overweight Gabriel Benitez, UFC on ESPN 23 fight off. 2021-04-30. mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  21. Web site: Behunin. Alex. 2021-08-19. Omar Morales vs. Jonathan Pearce Added To UFC 266. 2021-08-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  22. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2021-09-25. UFC 266 Results: Jonathan Pearce Submits Omar Morales. 2021-09-25. Cageside Press. en-US.
  23. Web site: Marcel Dorff. 2021-10-16. Austin Lingo vs. Jonathan Pearce toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 19 februari. 2022-07-06. MMA DNA. nl.
  24. Web site: Staff and Nolan King. 2022-02-08. Julian Marquez, Austin Lingo out of UFC Fight Night 201 matchups. 2022-02-08. mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
  25. Web site: Meshew. Jed. 2022-02-15. Jonathan Pearce now meets Christian Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 48. 2022-02-16. MMA Fighting. en.
  26. Web site: Bitter. Shawn. 2022-02-19. UFC Vegas 48: Jonathan Pearce Takes Decision Against Game Christian Rodriguez. 2022-02-20. Cageside Press. en-US.
  27. Web site: 2022-04-30 . UFC London Alles wat je moet weten over UFC Fight Night London: Blaydes vs. Aspinall . 2022-05-21 . Eurosport . nl. Marcel Dorff.
  28. Web site: Highlights: Jonathan Pearce dominates Makwan Amirkhani for TKO stoppage . mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2022-06-23. 2022-07-23.
  29. Web site: UFC London bonuses: Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann lead $50K winners. mmamania.com. Dan Hiergesell. 2022-07-23. 2022-07-23.
  30. Web site: 2022-09-05 . Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Aug. 29-Sept. 4) . 2022-10-05 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  31. Web site: Doherty . Dan . UFC Orlando: Jonathan Pearce Batters Bloodied Darren Elkins . Cageside Press . 5 December 2022 . 3 December 2022.
  32. Web site: Bryce Mitchell vs. Jonathan Pearce booked for UFC 288 on May 6. MMAmania.com. Alex Behunin. 2023-02-12. 2023-02-12.
  33. Web site: 2023-04-13 . Injury forces Jonathan Pearce out of UFC 288 bout vs. Bryce Mitchell . 2023-04-14 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  34. Web site: Sherdog.com . Featherweights Jonathan Pearce, Joanderson Brito Booked for UFC Fight Night 232 . 2023-10-01 . Sherdog . en.
  35. Web site: Dewar . Val . 2023-11-18 . UFC Vegas 82: Joanderson Brito Comes Back From Wrestling Deficit, Submits Jonathan Pearce . 2023-11-19 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  36. Web site: UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (3/4-3/17): Michel Pereira Booked For Quick Return After UFC 299 Win, Eight Cancellations. mmanews.com. Harvey Leonard. 2024-03-17. 2024-03-17.
  37. Web site: Al-Shatti . Shaun . 2024-04-26 . UFC Vegas 91 weigh-in results: 2 fighters miss weight . 2024-04-26 . MMA Fighting . en.
  38. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-04-27 . UFC Vegas 91: Despite Weight Miss, David Onama Too Quick, High-Paced for Jonathan Pearce . 2024-04-28 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  39. Web site: Sherdog.com. Jonathan Pearce. 2021-09-25. Sherdog.

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