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.

Mike Pierce
BornMichael Pierce
(1980-09-01) September 1, 1980 (age 43)
Portland, Oregon, United States
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1]
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach71 in (180 cm)
Fighting out ofPortland, Oregon, United States
TeamRose City FC
Years active2007–2015
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins17
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision8
Losses7
By submission1
By decision6
Notable school(s)Sam Barlow High School
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

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.[2] Pierce is married and has two children and three stepchildren.[citation needed]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Ultimate Fighting Championship edit

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.[3] However, Koscheck instead fought Anthony Johnson at UFC 106[4] and Pierce went on to face Jon Fitch on December 12, 2009, at UFC 107.[5] 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,[6] but Kimmons was forced off the card with an injury. Pierce instead faced UFC newcomer Julio Paulino.[7] 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.[8] He won the fight via submission (straight armbar) in the third round.[9]

For the third consecutive time Pierce fought a UFC newcomer in Kenny Robertson on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126.[10] 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.[11] Pierce lost the fight against Hendricks by split decision.[12]

At UFC on Fox 1, on November 12, 2011, Pierce fought Paul Bradley in a rematch from their time on the regional circuit.[13] He won the fight via split decision.

Pierce next faced Josh Koscheck on February 4, 2012, at UFC 143.[14] He lost the fight via split decision.[15]

Pierce defeated Carlos Eduardo Rocha on June 8, 2012, at UFC on FX 3 by unanimous decision.[16] 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.[17]

Pierce fought Aaron Simpson on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5.[18] 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.[19]

Pierce faced Seth Baczynski on December 15, 2012, at UFC on FX 6, replacing an injured Kyle Noke.[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[21]

Pierce fought David Mitchell on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162.[22] 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.[23]

Pierce next faced Rousimar Palhares on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.[24] 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.[25] Pierce suffered a sprained MCL and a torn ankle ligament.[26]

Pierce was expected to face Demian Maia on May 31, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.[27] However, Pierce had to pull out of the fight due to a broken hand.[28]

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.[29] He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

On January 29, 2016, Pierce was released from the UFC.[30]

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
24 matches 17 wins 7 losses
By knockout 8 0
By submission 1 1
By decision 8 6
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 17–7 Ryan LaFlare Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team McGregor vs. Team Faber Finale December 11, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 17–6 Rousimar Palhares Submission (heel hook) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields October 9, 2013 1 0:31 Barueri, Brazil
Win 17–5 David Mitchell TKO (punches) UFC 162 July 6, 2013 2 2:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–5 Seth Baczynski Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson December 15, 2012 3 5:00 Gold Coast, Australia
Win 15–5 Aaron Simpson KO (punch) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 2 0:29 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win 14–5 Carlos Eduardo Rocha Decision (unanimous) UFC on FX: Johnson vs. McCall June 8, 2012 3 5:00 Sunrise, Florida, United States
Loss 13–5 Josh Koscheck Decision (split) UFC 143 February 4, 2012 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 13–4 Paul Bradley Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos November 12, 2011 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States
Loss 12–4 Johny Hendricks Decision (split) UFC 133 August 6, 2011 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 12–3 Kenny Robertson TKO (punches) UFC 126 February 5, 2011 2 0:29 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–3 Amilcar Alves Submission (straight armbar) UFC 118 August 28, 2010 3 3:11 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 10–3 Julio Paulino Decision (unanimous) UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones March 21, 2010 3 5:00 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss 9–3 Jon Fitch Decision (unanimous) UFC 107 December 12, 2009 3 5:00 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win 9–2 Brock Larson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard September 16, 2009 3 5:00 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Win 8–2 Paul Bradley Decision (unanimous) RIE 2: Brotherly Love Brawl April 30, 2009 3 5:00 Oaks, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 7–2 Justin Haskins TKO (punches) WEC 39 March 1, 2009 3 3:39 Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Win 6–2 Sean Huffman TKO (punches) Carnage at the Creek 4 November 22, 2008 2 4:40 Shelton, Washington, United States
Win 5–2 Mark Miller TKO (doctor stoppage) SF 24: Domination September 19, 2008 2 1:38 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 4–2 Jake Paul Decision (unanimous) EWC: Summer Slaughter August 2, 2008 3 5:00 Salem, Oregon, United States
Loss 3–2 Nathan Coy Decision (unanimous) SF 23: Heated Rivals June 20, 2008 5 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States Lost the SF Welterweight Championship.
Win 3–1 Ed Nuno Decision (unanimous) SF 21: Seasons Beatings December 22, 2007 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States Won the SF Welterweight Championship.
Win 2–1 Mike Dolce KO (slam) SF 20: Homecoming October 27, 2007 1 0:05 Portland, Oregon, United States Return to Welterweight.
Loss 1–1 Mark Muñoz Decision (unanimous) GC 69: Bad Intentions September 22, 2007 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States Middleweight debut.
Win 1–0 Nick Gilardi TKO (doctor stoppage) Elite Warriors Championship June 2, 2007 2 4:54 Portland, Oregon, United States

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Mike Pierce". UFC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010.
  2. ^ "Northwest FightScene Magazine - Mike Pierce faces Jon Fitch this coming Saturday at UFC 107". nwfightscene.com.
  3. ^ "Josh Koscheck vs. Mike Pierce in the works for UFC Fight Night 20 in Virginia". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-19. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  4. ^ "Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson in the works for UFC 106". fiveknuckles.com. Archived from the original on 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2009-10-28.
  5. ^ "Jon Fitch vs. Mike Pierce official for "UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez" in December". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2009-11-03.
  6. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Rob Kimmons slated for UFC on Versus 1 on March 21". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-01-21. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  7. ^ "Rob Kimmons injured, Julio Paulino steps in to face Mike Pierce at UFC on Versus 1". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2010-02-28. Retrieved 2010-02-26.
  8. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Newcomer Amilcar Alves Expected for August's UFC 118". mmafrenzy.com. 2010-06-02.
  9. ^ Leland Roling (September 1, 2010). "UFC Welterweight Mike Pierce makes convincing case for relevant fights after dominating performance". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
  10. ^ "Mike Pierce vs Kenny Robertson expected for UFC 126 in February". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  11. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Johny Hendricks targeted for UFC 133 in Philly". mmajnkie.com. April 28, 2011. Archived from the original on April 30, 2011.
  12. ^ Tim Burke (2011-08-03). "UFC 133 Results Recap: Johny Hendricks vs. Mike Pierce". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
  13. ^ "Bradley vs. Pierce added to UFC on FOX 1". mmajunkie.com. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011.
  14. ^ "Mike Pierce replaces Carlos Condit against Josh Koscheck on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas". mmamania.com. 2011-12-09.
  15. ^ "UFC 143 results: Josh Koscheck edges 'stepping stone' Mike Pierce via split decision". MMAjunkie.com. February 5, 2012.
  16. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha is first addition to UFC on FX 3 on June 8". MMAjunkie.com. March 20, 2012.
  17. ^ "Mike Pierce's split decision win at UFC on FX 3 actually a unanimous nod". mmajunkie.com. June 13, 2012. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012.
  18. ^ "Mike Pierce vs. Aaron Simpson on tap for UFC on FX 5 in Minneapolis". mmajunkie.com. August 2, 2012. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012.
  19. ^ "UFC on FX 5 results: Mike Pierce rallies for one-punch KO of Aaron Simpson". mmajunkie.com. October 5, 2012.
  20. ^ "Mike Pierce replaces Kyle Noke, meets Seth Baczynski at UFC on FX 6". mmajunkie.com. October 31, 2012. Archived from the original on November 18, 2012.
  21. ^ "UFC on FX 6 results: Mike Pierce outwrestles Seth Baczynski, earns unanimous nod". mmajunkie.com. December 15, 2012.
  22. ^ Staff (April 12, 2013). "Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell targeted for UFC 162". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  23. ^ Steven Marrocco (July 6, 2013). "UFC 162 results/photos: Mike Pierce floors David Mitchell for fourth straight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  24. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2013-08-20). "Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares added to UFN 29". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
  25. ^ Steven Marrocco (2013-10-18). "Mike Pierce adds torn ankle ligament to injuries suffered in Palhares fight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  26. ^ "Mike Pierce on Palhares: "The Guy's an A-Hole"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  27. ^ Thomas Myers (2014-03-26). "Ultimate Fighter (TUF): 'Brazil 3' Finale fight card to feature Demian Maia vs Mike Pierce". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2014-03-26.
  28. ^ "Broken hand forces Mike Pierce out of May fight with Demian Maia, who awaits new foe". MMAjunkie.com. April 7, 2014.
  29. ^ Damon Martin (2015-08-19). "Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale confirmed, two fights added to Dec 11 card in Las Vegas". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2015-08-19.
  30. ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-12-11). "TUF 22 Finale results: Ryan LaFlare takes unanimous decision over Mike Pierce". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-11.

External links edit