Pearl Gonzalez

Pearl Gonzalez (born August 12, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist. She formerly competed for Ultimate Fighting Championships, and currently fights in the strawweight division of the Invicta Fighting Championships.

Background
Gonzalez was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were both drug and alcohol abusers, disturbing her childhood and adolescence. Her parents eventually separated, leaving Pearl with her father and rest of the siblings with their mother. Her father, after getting clean, placed her in combat sport classes when she was eleven years old. Gonzalez later trained in boxing, and won the Golden Gloves amateur championship in 2008. She stopped fighting for a while in order to raise her younger sister, but went back to fighting at 21 at Combat-Do in Cicero, IL under Grappling Hall of Famer Bob Schirmer. Pearl is currently the host of the Extra Rounds Podcast on UFC FIGHT PASS.

She is of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Irish descent.

Early career
Gonzalez started her amateur career in 2009, and fought professionally since 2012. She competed for the Xtreme Fighting Championship, Xtreme Fighting Organization, Splode Fight Series, and Hoosier Fight Club. Gonzalez amassed a record of 6–1 prior to being signed by UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championships
Gonzalez made her promotional debut on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210 against Cynthia Calvillo. She lost the fight via rear-naked choke.

Her next fight came on October 7, 2017, facing Poliana Botelho at UFC 216. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After two losses at UFC, Gonzalez was released by UFC and she joined Invicta Fighting Championships shortly after.

Invicta Fighting Championships
Gonzalez made her promotional debut on March 24, 2018, at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba against Kali Robbins. and she won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Barbara Acioly on May 4, 2018, at Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner. She submitted Acioly and won the fight.

Gonzalez faced Daiane Firmino on September 1, 2018, at Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Vanessa Porto for the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship at Invicta FC 34 on February 15, 2019. She lost the fight via technical decision.

On October 4, 2019, Gonzalez faced Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 37. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Miranda Maverick at Invicta FC 39 on February 7, 2020. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez was then scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield for the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship at Invicta FC 43 on November 20, 2020. However, Gonzalez was forced to withdraw due to contracting COVID-19 and the bout was supposed to be postponed to the future. However, her contract with the organization expired before she had the following bout.

Post-Invicta
Gonzalez made her MMA return after three and a half years at XFC 50 on April 12, 2024 against Monica Medina. She won by armbar submission in the first round.

Bare-knuckle boxing
On April 22, 2021, it was announced that Gonzalez had signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. On June 1, 2021, it was announced that Gonzalez was expected to make her debut against Charisa Sigala at BKFC 18 on June 26, 2021. She won the debut via unanimous decision.

Her sophomore appearance came against Britain Hart at BKFC 22 on November 12, 2021. She lost the fight via unanimous decision and subsequently stated that she will be moving away from the sport. This fight, however, earned her the Fight of the Night award.

Professional boxing career
After winning her first two professional boxing bouts, she is expected to face Gina Mazany at Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1, 2023.

Mixed martial arts

 * Xtreme Fighting Championships
 * Xtreme Fighting Championships Women's Strawweight Champion vs. Cortney Casey

Bare-knuckle boxing

 * Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Britain Hart