Jonathan Pearce

Background Having begun wrestling at the age of 12, Pearce was a state runner-up wrestler at Science Hill High School. After the incident, Pearce dropped out of college in pursuit of a professional mixed martial arts career.

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.

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 6. 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 18. However, Woodson withdrew a week before the event for 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 23. 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, 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.

Pearce faced Pat Sabatini on October 12, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 244. He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

On February 27, 2025, it was reported that Pearce was removed from the UFC roster.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Pat Sabatini Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

David Onama Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Nicolau vs. Perez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joanderson Brito Submission (ninja choke) UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Darren Elkins Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Thompson vs. Holland

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Makwan Amirkhani TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall

London, England Win

Christian Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Hill

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Omar Morales Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 266

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kai Kamaka III TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joe Lauzon TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs. Weidman

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Jacob Rosales TKO (punch) Dana White's Contender Series 19

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dedrek Sanders TKO (doctor stoppage) Warrior FC 140

Asheville, North Carolina, United States Win

Nick Baker TKO (punches) Strikefest 2

Gray, Tennessee, United States Win

Omar Johnson TKO (punches) Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Talladega

Talladega, Alabama, United States Win

Damir Ferhatbegović Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator Monster Energy Fight Series: Bristol

Bristol, Tennessee, United States Loss

Peter Petties Decision (unanimous) Shogun Fights 16

Baltimore, Maryland, United States Loss

Quinten Culpepper Submission (toe hold) Valor Fights 37

Cleveland, Tennessee, United States Loss

Lance Lawrence Submission (rear-naked choke) Valor Fights 35

Gray, Tennessee, United States Win

Nickalas Martino TKO (elbows) APEX Fights 10

Kingsport, Tennessee, United States Win

Chris Wright TKO (punches) Valor Fights 26

Blountville, Tennessee, United States Win

Anthony Morgan Decision (unanimous) Valor Fights 23

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States Win

Noe Quintanilla KO (knee) Evolution Combat Sports Series 2

Elizabethton, Tennessee, United States