After suffering a series of back injuries throughout his MMA career, Pague decided to make the transition to professional boxing as a way to continue fighting and reduce the daily strain he was putting on his back.[citation needed]
Professional boxing career
Pague won his professional boxing debut on April 19, 2016, by unanimous decision over Rafael Davis.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
In late 2008, Pague made the decision to turn professional after a successful 7–4 amateur career.[4] Pague's pro debut took place on October 11, 2008, against Jon Owens. The fight was contested at Featherweight instead of Lightweight, where Pague spent the entirety of his amateur career.[4] Pague lost the fight via KO in only 18 seconds. Two months after the loss, Pague returned against John Myers. He won the fight via kimura submission in round one.[5]
Pague built up a five-fight win streak before losing three straight fights to future TUF contestant Jeff Lentz, WEC veteran Anthony Leone, and longtime UFC veteran Din Thomas.
He built up another winning streak that earned him a title shot for the vacant Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship. The fight marked the first time Pague fought at Bantamweight. He fought Steve De Angelis, defeating him via knockout in the second round.
Pague co-owns and operates his own gym, Disciple MMA.[6] He also trains at the TapouT Ranch owned by Donald Cerrone.[7]
The Ultimate Fighter
In 2011, Pague had signed with the UFC to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.[8] In the first episode, Pague fought Tateki Matsuda and won via majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18) after two close rounds.[9] The win gained Pague entry into the Ultimate Fighter house. He was selected as a part of Team Mayhem.[10]
Pague next fought against Team Bisping's top Bantamweight pick, Louis Gaudinot. Pague won the fight in the second round via submission (rear-naked choke) to get into the semi-finals.[11] The fight also won Pague and Gaudinot an additional $25,000 for the fan voted "Fight of the Season".
In the semi-finals Pague fought and lost to T.J. Dillashaw. Dillashaw controlled Pague on the ground throughout three rounds while landing heavy ground and pound en route to a unanimous decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Pague officially made his UFC debut on December 3, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale losing to John Albert via TKO in the first round. Pague was dropped by a combination from Albert in the opening moments, and then was put in the giftwrap position while getting hit with heavy ground and pound causing the referee to intervene.
Pague captured his first UFC win after defeating Jared Papazian on June 8, 2012 at UFC on FX 3.[12] Pague won the fight via submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round.
Two weeks after his win over Papazian and with six days notice, Pague fought Ken Stone at UFC on FX 4 on June 22, 2012, replacing an injured Francisco Rivera.[13] Pague was defeated via split decision.
Pague faced promotional newcomer Chico Camus on August 11, 2012, at UFC 150.[14] Pague lost via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28).
Pague faced Yves Jabouin on June 15, 2013, at UFC 161.[15] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.
Pague faced promotional newcomer Kyoji Horiguchi on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166.[16] Despite controlling Horiguchi for the first round, Pague lost via TKO in the second round.
On April 23, 2014, Pague was released from his UFC contract following a four-fight losing streak in the promotion.[17]
Post-UFC career
In his first post-UFC fight, Pague faced D'Juan Owens at The Victorium: Episode 3 on July 12, 2014. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke.[18]
