Nick Pace

Nick Pace (born April 17, 1987) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the bantamweight division. A professional MMA competitor from 2008 to 2017, Pace mostly fought in the Ring of Combat promotion where he was the reigning and inaugural Ring of Combat Bantamweight champion until he signed with World Extreme Cagefighting. After the WECs merger with the UFC, Pace became a member of the UFC. After he retired from MMA in 2017, he became a professional Jiu jitsu competitor and competed in the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds tournament hosted by Eddie Bravo

Mixed martial arts career

Background Pace trains with the Tiger Schulmann Fight Team in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, alongside former Bellator champion Lyman Good and former UFC Bantamweight title contender Jimmie Rivera. Pace is head instructor at the Staten Island branch of Tiger Schulmann's Mixed Martial Arts and has trained with the team since the age of 10, influenced by his childhood love of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Pace would later have to relinquish the title, however, after signing with World Extreme Cagefighting.

World Extreme Cagefighting Pace made his WEC debut against Demetrious Johnson on September 30, 2010, replacing Clint Godfrey. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Pace faced Will Campuzano on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale. Pace failed to make weight for the bout, so it was fought as a catchweight bout. Pace defeated Campuzano in the 3rd round with a pillory choke, which was the first time the submission was used in a professional mixed martial arts bout. However, despite the rare submission, Pace was ineligible for the Submission of the Night bonus due to missing weight, which instead went to Cody McKenzie.

Pace was expected to face Michael McDonald on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133. However, Pace instead faced Ivan Menjivar at the event after McDonald was pulled from the bout to compete at UFC 130. Pace lost via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

Pace faced Miguel Torres on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139 in a catchweight bout of 141 pounds after missing weight. Pace lost a decisive decision to Torres after three rounds.

After losing to Torres, and missing weight for the second time in three fights, Pace was released from the promotion.

Cage Fury Fighting Championships After four years away from competition, Pace made his return to MMA and fought for the CFFC Bantamweight Championship against Ricky Bandejas on Oct 31, 2015. He won the bout and became the title holder. He then defended his title two years later against Ahmet Kayretli. He retired from MMA shortly after and vacated the title.

Jiu-Jitsu career A year later, Pace made his comeback to martial arts competition in the Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds BJJ tournament. He has competed in this tournament twice to date.

Championships and accomplishments Ring of Combat ROC Bantamweight Championship (One time) Cage Fury Fighting Championships CFFC Bantamweight Championship (One time) Opened his own Tiger Schulmanns School in Tottenvile, Staten Island NY where he teaches alongside his brother Ricky Pace

Mixed martial arts record Win

Ahmet Kayretli Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 63

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Ricky Bandejas Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury Fighting Championships 52

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Miguel Torres Decision (unanimous) UFC 139

San Jose, California, United States Loss

Ivan Menjivar Decision (unanimous) UFC 133

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Will Campuzano Submission (Pace choke) The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Demetrious Johnson Decision (unanimous) WEC 51

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Steve DeAngelis Submission (D'arce choke) Ring of Combat 30

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jose Adriano Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 29

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Lennox Chance Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 28

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Collin Tebo KO (flying knee) Bellator 11

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Sean Santella Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 22

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States