Pearl Gonzalez

Pearl Gonzalez
Born (1986-08-12) August 12, 1986 (age 38)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[1]
Other namesThe Chi-Town Princess
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionStrawweight
Flyweight
Reach68 in (173 cm)[2]
Style10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, U.S.[3]
Team10th Planet San Diego (until 2021, 2022–present)[3]
Team Hurricane Awesome (2013–2021, 2022–present)[4][3]
Team Serrano (2021–2022)[5][3]
RankBrown Belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu[1]
Years active2012–present
Professional boxing record
Total2
Wins2
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins11
By knockout1
By submission6
By decision4
Losses6
By submission1
By decision5
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Pearl Gonzalez (born August 12, 1986) is an American mixed martial artist. She formerly competed for Ultimate Fighting Championships, and currently fights in the strawweight division of the Invicta Fighting Championships.

Background

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Gonzalez was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were both drug and alcohol abusers, disturbing her childhood and adolescence. Her parents eventually separated, leaving Pearl with her father and rest of the siblings with their mother. Her father, after getting clean, placed her in combat sport classes when she was eleven years old.[6][7] Gonzalez later trained in boxing, and won the Golden Gloves amateur championship in 2008. She stopped fighting for a while in order to raise her younger sister, but went back to fighting at 21 at Combat-Do in Cicero, IL under Grappling Hall of Famer Bob Schirmer. Pearl is currently the host of the Extra Rounds Podcast on UFC FIGHT PASS.[1]

She is of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Irish descent.[8][9]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Gonzalez started her amateur career in 2009, and fought professionally since 2012.[10] She competed for the Xtreme Fighting Championship, Xtreme Fighting Organization, Splode Fight Series, and Hoosier Fight Club. Gonzalez amassed a record of 6–1 prior to being signed by UFC.[10]

Ultimate Fighting Championships

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Gonzalez made her promotional debut on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210 against Cynthia Calvillo.[11] She lost the fight via rear-naked choke.[12]

Her next fight came on October 7, 2017, facing Poliana Botelho at UFC 216.[13] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

After two losses at UFC, Gonzalez was released by UFC and she joined Invicta Fighting Championships shortly after.[15][16]

Invicta Fighting Championships

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Gonzalez made her promotional debut on March 24, 2018, at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba against Kali Robbins.[17] and she won the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Gonzalez faced Barbara Acioly on May 4, 2018, at Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner.[19] She submitted Acioly and won the fight.[20]

Gonzalez faced Daiane Firmino on September 1, 2018, at Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin.[21] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[22]

Gonzalez faced Vanessa Porto for the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship at Invicta FC 34 on February 15, 2019.[23] She lost the fight via technical decision.[24]

On October 4, 2019, Gonzalez faced Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 37.[25] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Gonzalez faced Miranda Maverick at Invicta FC 39 on February 7, 2020.[27] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez was then scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield for the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship at Invicta FC 43 on November 20, 2020.[28] However, Gonzalez was forced to withdraw due to contracting COVID-19 and the bout was supposed to be postponed to the future.[29] However, her contract with the organization expired before she had the following bout.[3]

Post-Invicta

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Gonzalez made her MMA return after three and a half years at XFC 50 on April 12, 2024 against Monica Medina.[30] She won by armbar submission in the first round.[31]

Bare-knuckle boxing

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On April 22, 2021, it was announced that Gonzalez had signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[5] On June 1, 2021, it was announced that Gonzalez was expected to make her debut against Charisa Sigala at BKFC 18 on June 26, 2021.[32] She won the debut via unanimous decision.[33]

Her sophomore appearance came against Britain Hart at BKFC 22 on November 12, 2021.[34] She lost the fight via unanimous decision and subsequently stated that she will be moving away from the sport.[35][36] This fight, however, earned her the Fight of the Night award.[37]

Professional boxing career

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After winning her first two professional boxing bouts, she is expected to face Gina Mazany at Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1, 2023.[38]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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  • Xtreme Fighting Championships

Bare-knuckle boxing

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
17 matches 11 wins 6 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 6 1
By decision 4 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 11–6 Rainn Guerrero Decision (unanimous) XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2 May 31, 2024 3 5:00 Detroit, Michigan, United States
Win 11–5 Monica Medina Submission (armbar) XFC 50 April 12, 2024 1 1:51 Lakeland, Florida, United States Bantamweight debut.
Loss 10–5 Miranda Maverick Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II February 7, 2020 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 10–4 Brogan Walker-Sanchez Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez October 4, 2019 3 5:00 Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss 9–4 Vanessa Porto Technical Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez February 15, 2019 4 2:34 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship. An accidental eye poke rendered Porto unable to continue.
Win 9–3 Daiane Firmino Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin September 1, 2018 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 8–3 Barbara Acioly Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner May 4, 2018 1 1:30 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 7–3 Kali Robbins Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba March 24, 2018 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Loss 6–3 Poliana Botelho Decision (unanimous) UFC 216 October 7, 2017 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 6–2 Cynthia Calvillo Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 210 April 8, 2017 3 3:45 Buffalo, New York, United States
Win 6–1 Katie Klimansky-Casimir Submission (armbar) Hoosier Fight Club 28 April 30, 2016 2 4:20 Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 5–1 Valeria Mejia TKO (punches) XFO 56 August 15, 2016 1 3:34 Island Lake, Illinois, United States
Win 4–1 Katie Anita Runyan Submission (armbar) Xplode Fight Series: Heat July 11, 2015 1 0:39 Valley Center, California, United States
Win 3–1 Nikki Duncan Decision (unanimous) XFO 55 April 25, 2015 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 2–1 Cortney Casey Submission (armbar) XFC 26 October 18, 2013 3 4:43 Nashville, Tennessee, United States Won the XFC Women's Strawweight championship.
Win 1–1 Suzie Montero Submission (armbar) XFC 22 February 22, 2013 1 4:56 Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Loss 0–1 Munah Holland Decision (majority) Ring of Combat 39 February 10, 2010 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States

[39]

Professional boxing record

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3 fights 2 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By decision 1 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
3 Loss 2–1 Gina Mazany MD 6 Apr 1, 2023 Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Ivana Coleman TKO 1 (4), 1:15 Nov 18, 2022 Biloxi Civic Center, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Danielle Wynn UD 4 Aug 19, 2022 Biloxi Civic Center, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.

Bare knuckle boxing record

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Professional record breakdown
2 matches 1 win 1 loss
By decision 1 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–1 Britain Hart Decision (unanimous) BKFC 22 November 12, 2021 5 2:00 Miami, Florida, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 1–0 Charisa Sigala Decision (unanimous) BKFC 18 June 26, 2021 5 2:00 Miami, Florida, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Pearl Gonzalez - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". www.ufc.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  2. ^ "Pearl Gonzalez | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Free agent Pearl Gonzalez Focused On Boxing Career, But Not Ruling Out MMA Return. MMAjunkie.com. August 24, 2022 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ a b "Meet the UFC's Newest Strawweight: Pearl Gonzalez". Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Danny Segura (April 22, 2021). "Former UFC, Invicta FC fighter Pearl Gonzalez signs multi-fight deal with BKFC". MMAjunkie.com.
  6. ^ Invicta Fighting Championships (May 1, 2018). Through the Ashes: Pearl Gonzalez – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Ben Fowlkes (May 1, 2018). "From the streets of Chicago to jail to MMA, Pearl Gonzalez has quite a story to tell in this video". mmajunkie.com.
  8. ^ Paez-Pumar, Luis (April 7, 2017). "New York State Won't Let This Latina UFC Fighter Compete Due to Her Breast Implants". remezcla.com. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  9. ^ @PearlGonzalez (February 5, 2017). "I'm a variety pack lol mexican, Puerto Rican, Filipino and irish" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  10. ^ a b Sherdog.com. "Pearl Gonzalez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  11. ^ "UFC 210: NYSAC clears Gonzalez to fight after implant controversy". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  12. ^ "UFC 210 results: Cynthia Calvillo spoils Pearl Gonzalez's debut, wins with choke in third". MMAjunkie. April 9, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  13. ^ "Pearl Gonzalez VS Poliana Botelho | This Saturday at UFC 216 prelims | 8pm ET, LIVE on FX - WMMA Rankings". WMMA Rankings. October 2, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  14. ^ "UFC 216 results: Poliana Botelho outworks takedown-hungry Pearl Gonzalez for decision sweep". MMAjunkie. October 8, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  15. ^ "Pearl Gonzalez On UFC Release, Invicta FC Debut vs. Kali Robbins". Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  16. ^ "After UFC release and retirement thoughts, Pearl Gonzalez promises evolution in Invicta debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  17. ^ "Invicta FC 28's Kali Robbins jokes that the UFC are being 'silly' in 'taking their time' to sign her". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  18. ^ "Invicta FC 28 highlights: New champ crowned, bloody victory for Kal Schwartz, Pearl Gonzalez wins". MMAjunkie. March 25, 2018. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  19. ^ "Pearl Gonzalez vs Barbara Acioly added to #InvictaFC29 on May 4 - WMMA Rankings". WMMA Rankings. April 9, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  20. ^ "Pearl Gonzalez def Barbara Acioly at Invicta FC 29". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  21. ^ "Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs Morandin Fills Out Card | Pearl Gonzalez in the Co-Main Event - MMA Today". MMA Today. August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  22. ^ "Invicta FC 31 results: Champ Virna Jandiroba taps Janaisa Morandin". MMAjunkie. September 1, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  23. ^ Tristen Critchfield (January 16, 2019). "Vanessa Porto, Pearl Gonzalez to Vie for Vacant Flyweight Crown at Invicta FC 34 on Feb. 15". sherdog.com.
  24. ^ Raimondi, Marc (February 16, 2019). "Invicta FC 34 results: Vanessa Porto beats Pearl Gonzalez for title by technical decision after eye poke". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  25. ^ Cunningham, Nicholas (October 3, 2019). ""Chi-Town Princess" Pearl Gonzalez moves to main event tomorrow night against Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 37 on UFC Fight Pass | Hola America News". Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  26. ^ "Invicta FC 37 results: Pearl Gonzalez edges Brogan Sanchez, Mariya Agapova impresses". MMA Junkie. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  27. ^ Alexander K. Lee (January 3, 2020). "Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins 2, Pearl Gonzalez vs. Miranda Maverick announced for Invicta FC 39". mmafighting.com.
  28. ^ Tim Bissell (October 15, 2020). "Invicta FC announces two title fights for November 20 show". bloodyelbow.com.
  29. ^ Alexander K. Lee (November 2, 2020). "Video: Pearl Gonzalez announces withdrawal from Invicta FC 43 title fight due to positive COVID-19 test". mmafighting.com.
  30. ^ Viagem, Ricardo (April 10, 2024). ""Both my parents were addicted to drugs" - Ex-UFC star Pearl Gonzalez reflects on how getting into MMA saved her life (Exclusive)". Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "XFC 50 - Xtreme Fighting Championships". Sherdog. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  32. ^ Nolan King (June 1, 2021). "Pearl Gonzalez books bareknuckle debut, meets Charisa Sigala at BKFC 18". MMAjunkie.com.
  33. ^ Damon Martin (June 27, 2021). "BKFC 18 results: Pearl Gonzalez pitches shutout with lopsided decision win over Charisa Sigala". mmafighting.com.
  34. ^ Alexander K. Lee (October 31, 2021). "Britain Hart vs. Pearl Gonzalez announced for BKFC 22". mmafighting.com.
  35. ^ Matthew Wells (November 12, 2021). "BKFC 22 results: Britain Hart outpaces Pearl Gonzalez in intense five-round battle". MMAjunkie.com.
  36. ^ Mike Heck (November 14, 2021). "Pearl Gonzalez says BKFC 22 loss to Britain Hart was her 'last bare-knuckle fight'".
  37. ^ a b BKFC (November 16, 2021). "BKFC Miami Bonuses". instagram.com.
  38. ^ Danny Segura (February 6, 2023). "Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens headline Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1". MMAjunkie.com.
  39. ^ Sherdog.com. "Pearl Gonzalez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
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