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.
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 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 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]
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]
