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.

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

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. After the incident, Pearce dropped out of college in pursuit of a professional 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.

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 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.

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.

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. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

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

Pearce was scheduled to face Gabriel Benítez on May 1, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Procházka. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

Pearce faced Joanderson Brito on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 232. He lost the fight via a ninja choke submission in the second round.

Pearce faced David Onama on April 17, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55. 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. Pearce lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Makwan Amirkhani