Mike Pierce

Michael Pierce (born September 1, 1980) is a retired American professional mixed martial artist. He formerly competed as a Welterweight in the UFC and WEC.

Background Pierce was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, on September 1, 1980. Pierce competed in wrestling at Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, Oregon and then continued his career at Portland State University where he was a two-time All-American. Pierce is married and has two children and three stepchildren.

Mixed martial arts career Ultimate Fighting Championship Pierce defeated former WEC contender Brock Larson via unanimous decision in his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 19.

Pierce was expected to fight Josh Koscheck on January 11, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 20. However, Koscheck instead fought Anthony Johnson at UFC 106 and Pierce went on to face Jon Fitch on December 12, 2009, at UFC 107. After losing the first two rounds, Pierce dominated the end of the third round, nearly finishing Fitch. He lost to Fitch via unanimous decision (29-28, 29–28, 29–28).

Pierce was scheduled to face Rob Kimmons on March 21, 2010, at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones, but Kimmons was forced off the card with an injury. Pierce instead faced UFC newcomer Julio Paulino. Pierce won the fight via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27).

Pierce again fought another UFC newcomer in Amilcar Alves on August 28, 2010, at UFC 118. He won the fight via submission (straight armbar) in the third round.

For the third consecutive time Pierce fought a UFC newcomer in Kenny Robertson on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126. He won the fight via TKO due to punches early into the second round.

Pierce faced Johny Hendricks on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133. Pierce lost the fight against Hendricks by split decision.

At UFC on Fox 1, on November 12, 2011, Pierce fought Paul Bradley in a rematch from their time on the regional circuit. He won the fight via split decision.

Pierce next faced Josh Koscheck on February 4, 2012, at UFC 143. He lost the fight via split decision.

Pierce defeated Carlos Eduardo Rocha on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3 by unanimous decision. After a dominant performance by Pierce, initially 2 judges scored the fight 30-27 for Pierce, while the 3rd judge inexplicably scored it 30-27 for Rocha. However, it was later announced that the judge, Ric Bays, had scored the fight for the wrong corner and he had actually won unanimously.

Pierce fought Aaron Simpson on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. After a dominant first round put in by Simpson, nearly finishing Pierce on two occasions, Pierce came back, and 29 seconds into the second round, finished Simpson via one punch KO.

Pierce faced Seth Baczynski on December 15, 2012, at UFC on FX 6, replacing an injured Kyle Noke. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Pierce fought David Mitchell on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162. After a close first round, Pierce won via TKO in the second round after landing a short left hook to the jaw and following up with ground and pound.

Pierce next faced Rousimar Palhares on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29. He lost the fight via heel hook submission just 31 seconds into the first round. However, Palhares continued cranking the heel hook even after Pierce tapped out and the referee stepped in, leading the UFC to cut ties with Palhares the next day. Pierce suffered a sprained MCL and a torn ankle ligament.

Pierce was expected to face Demian Maia on May 31, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale. However, Pierce had to pull out of the fight due to a broken hand.

After over two years away from the sport, Pierce returned from extended hiatus to face Ryan LaFlare on December 11, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale. He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

On January 29, 2016, Pierce was released from the UFC.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC.com Awards 2009: Ranked #2 Upset of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Ryan LaFlare Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Rousimar Palhares Submission (heel hook) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields

Barueri, Brazil Win

David Mitchell TKO (punches) UFC 162

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Seth Baczynski Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson

Gold Coast, Australia Win

Aaron Simpson KO (punch) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Carlos Eduardo Rocha Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall

Sunrise, Florida, United States Loss

Josh Koscheck Decision (split) UFC 143

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Paul Bradley Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos

Anaheim, California, United States Loss

Johny Hendricks Decision (split) UFC 133

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Kenny Robertson TKO (punches) UFC 126

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Amilcar Alves Submission (straight armbar) UFC 118

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Julio Paulino Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Loss

Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) UFC 107

Memphis, Tennessee, United States Win

Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Paul Bradley Decision (unanimous) RIE 2: Brotherly Love Brawl

Oaks, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Justin Haskins TKO (punches) WEC 39

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States Win

Sean Huffman TKO (punches) Carnage at the Creek 4

Shelton, Washington, United States Win

Mark Miller TKO (doctor stoppage) SF 24: Domination

Portland, Oregon, United States Win

Jake Paul Decision (unanimous) EWC: Summer Slaughter

Salem, Oregon, United States Loss

Nathan Coy Decision (unanimous) SF 23: Heated Rivals

Portland, Oregon, United States Lost the SF Welterweight Championship. Win

Ed Nuno Decision (unanimous) SF 21: Seasons Beatings

Portland, Oregon, United States Won the SF Welterweight Championship. Win

Mike Dolce KO (slam) SF 20: Homecoming

Portland, Oregon, United States Return to Welterweight. Loss

Mark Muñoz Decision (unanimous) GC 69: Bad Intentions

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Nick Gilardi TKO (doctor stoppage) Elite Warriors Championship

Portland, Oregon, United States