Pearl Gonzalez Explained

Pearl Gonzalez
Other Names:The Chi-Town Princess
Birth Date:12 August 1986
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Fighting Out Of:San Diego, California, U.S.
Weight:125 lbs
Weight Class:Strawweight
Flyweight
Reach:68 inches[1]
Style:10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing
Rank:Brown Belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Team:10th Planet San Diego (until 2021, 2022–present)
Team Hurricane Awesome (2013–2021, 2022–present)[3]
Team Serrano (2021–2022)
Years Active:2012–present
Mma Kowin:1
Mma Subwin:6
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:5
Box Win:2
Box Kowin:1
Sherdog:90485

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

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.[4] [5] 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.[2]

She is of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Irish descent.[6] [7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Gonzalez started her amateur career in 2009, and fought professionally since 2012.[8] 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.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championships

Gonzalez made her promotional debut on April 8, 2017, at UFC 210 against Cynthia Calvillo.[9] She lost the fight via rear-naked choke.[10]

Her next fight came on October 7, 2017, facing Poliana Botelho at UFC 216.[11] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[12]

After two losses at UFC, Gonzalez was released by UFC and she joined Invicta Fighting Championships shortly after.[13] [14]

Invicta Fighting Championships

Gonzalez made her promotional debut on March 24, 2018, at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba against Kali Robbins.[15] and she won the fight via unanimous decision.[16]

Gonzalez faced Barbara Acioly on May 4, 2018, at Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner.[17] She submitted Acioly and won the fight.[18]

Gonzalez faced Daiane Firmino on September 1, 2018, at Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin.[19] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Gonzalez faced Vanessa Porto for the vacant Invicta FC Flyweight Championship at Invicta FC 34 on February 15, 2019.[21] She lost the fight via technical decision.[22]

On October 4, 2019, Gonzalez faced Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 37.[23] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[24]

Gonzalez faced Miranda Maverick at Invicta FC 39 on February 7, 2020.[25] 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.[26] However, Gonzalez was forced to withdraw due to contracting COVID-19 and the bout was supposed to be postponed to the future.[27] However, her contract with the organization expired before she had the following bout.[28]

Post-Invicta

Gonzalez made her MMA return after three and a half years at XFC 50 on April 12, 2024 against Monica Medina.[29] She won by armbar submission in the first round.[30]

Bare-knuckle boxing

On April 22, 2021, it was announced that Gonzalez had signed a multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.[31] 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

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

Mixed martial arts

Bare-knuckle boxing

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|11–6|Rainn Guerrero|Decision (unanimous)|XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Detroit, Michigan, United States||-|Win|align=center| 11–5|Monica Medina|Submission (armbar)|XFC 50||align=center|1|align=center|1:51|Lakeland, Florida, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 10–5| Miranda Maverick| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Kansas City, Kansas, United States||-| Win| align=center| 10–4| Brogan Walker-Sanchez| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Kansas City, Kansas, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 9–4| Vanessa Porto| Technical Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez| | align=center| 4| align=center| 2:34| Kansas City, Missouri, United States||-| Win| align=center| 9–3| Daiane Firmino| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Kansas City, Missouri, United States||-| Win| align=center| 8–3| Barbara Acioly| Submission (armbar)| Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner| | align=center| 1| align=center| 1:30| Kansas City, Missouri, United States||-| Win| align=center| 7–3| Kali Robbins| Decision (unanimous)| Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Salt Lake City, Utah, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 6–3| Poliana Botelho| Decision (unanimous)| UFC 216| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 6–2| Cynthia Calvillo| Submission (rear-naked choke)| UFC 210| | align=center| 3| align=center| 3:45| Buffalo, New York, United States||-| Win| align=center| 6–1| Katie Klimansky-Casimir| Submission (armbar)| Hoosier Fight Club 28| | align=center| 2| align=center| 4:20| Hammond, Indiana, United States||-| Win| align=center| 5–1| Valeria Mejia| TKO (punches)| XFO 56| | align=center| 1| align=center|3:34| Island Lake, Illinois, United States||-| Win| align=center| 4–1| Katie Anita Runyan| Submission (armbar)| Xplode Fight Series: Heat| | align=center| 1| align=center|0:39| Valley Center, California, United States||-| Win| align=center| 3–1| Nikki Duncan| Decision (unanimous)| XFO 55| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Chicago, Illinois, United States||-| Win| align=center| 2–1| Cortney Casey| Submission (armbar)| XFC 26| | align=center| 3| align=center| 4:43| Nashville, Tennessee, United States||-| Win| align=center| 1–1| Suzie Montero| Submission (armbar)| XFC 22| | align=center| 1| align=center|4:56| Charlotte, North Carolina, United States||-| Loss| align=center| 0–1| Munah Holland| Decision (majority)| Ring of Combat 39| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States||-[39]

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
3Loss2–1Gina MazanyMD6Apr 1, 2023
2Win2–0Ivana ColemanTKO1 (4), Nov 18, 2022
1Win1–0Danielle WynnUD4Aug 19, 2022

Bare knuckle boxing record

|-|Loss|align=center|1–1|Britain Hart|Decision (unanimous)|BKFC 22| |align=center|5|align=center|2:00|Miami, Florida, United States||-|Win|align=center|1–0|Charisa Sigala|Decision (unanimous)|BKFC 18||align=center|5|align=center|2:00|Miami, Florida, United States||-

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez MMA Fighter Page Tapology. Tapology. en. March 28, 2018.
  2. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez - Official UFC® Fighter Profile. www.ufc.com. en. March 28, 2018.
  3. News: Meet the UFC's Newest Strawweight: Pearl Gonzalez. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  4. Through the Ashes: Pearl Gonzalez. Invicta Fighting Championships. May 1, 2018. YouTube.
  5. Web site: From the streets of Chicago to jail to MMA, Pearl Gonzalez has quite a story to tell in this video. Ben Fowlkes. mmajunkie.com. May 1, 2018.
  6. News: New York State Won't Let This Latina UFC Fighter Compete Due to Her Breast Implants. Luis. Paez-Pumar. remezcla.com. April 7, 2017. March 27, 2018.
  7. PearlGonzalez. 828324249836232705. February 5, 2017. I'm a variety pack lol mexican, Puerto Rican, Filipino and irish..
  8. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. March 28, 2018.
  9. News: UFC 210: NYSAC clears Gonzalez to fight after implant controversy. Bloody Elbow. March 28, 2018.
  10. News: UFC 210 results: Cynthia Calvillo spoils Pearl Gonzalez's debut, wins with choke in third. April 9, 2017. MMAjunkie. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  11. News: Pearl Gonzalez VS Poliana Botelho This Saturday at UFC 216 prelims 8pm ET, LIVE on FX - WMMA Rankings. October 2, 2017. WMMA Rankings. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  12. News: UFC 216 results: Poliana Botelho outworks takedown-hungry Pearl Gonzalez for decision sweep. October 8, 2017. MMAjunkie. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  13. News: Pearl Gonzalez On UFC Release, Invicta FC Debut vs. Kali Robbins. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  14. News: After UFC release and retirement thoughts, Pearl Gonzalez promises evolution in Invicta debut. MMA Fighting. March 28, 2018.
  15. News: Invicta FC 28's Kali Robbins jokes that the UFC are being 'silly' in 'taking their time' to sign her. Bloody Elbow. March 28, 2018.
  16. News: Invicta FC 28 highlights: New champ crowned, bloody victory for Kal Schwartz, Pearl Gonzalez wins. March 25, 2018. MMAjunkie. March 28, 2018. en-US.
  17. News: Pearl Gonzalez vs Barbara Acioly added to #InvictaFC29 on May 4 - WMMA Rankings. April 9, 2018. WMMA Rankings. September 2, 2018. en-US.
  18. News: Pearl Gonzalez def Barbara Acioly at Invicta FC 29. MMAWeekly.com. September 2, 2018. en-US.
  19. News: Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs Morandin Fills Out Card Pearl Gonzalez in the Co-Main Event - MMA Today. August 2, 2018. MMA Today. August 9, 2018. en-US.
  20. News: Invicta FC 31 results: Champ Virna Jandiroba taps Janaisa Morandin. September 1, 2018. MMAjunkie. September 2, 2018. en-US.
  21. Web site: Vanessa Porto, Pearl Gonzalez to Vie for Vacant Flyweight Crown at Invicta FC 34 on Feb. 15. Tristen Critchfield. January 16, 2019. sherdog.com.
  22. Web site: Invicta FC 34 results: Vanessa Porto beats Pearl Gonzalez for title by technical decision after eye poke. Raimondi. Marc. February 16, 2019. MMA Fighting. en. October 29, 2019.
  23. Web site: "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. Cunningham. Nicholas. October 3, 2019. en-US. October 29, 2019.
  24. Web site: Invicta FC 37 results: Pearl Gonzalez edges Brogan Sanchez, Mariya Agapova impresses. October 5, 2019. MMA Junkie. en. October 29, 2019.
  25. Web site: Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins 2, Pearl Gonzalez vs. Miranda Maverick announced for Invicta FC 39. Alexander K. Lee. mmafighting.com. January 3, 2020.
  26. Web site: Invicta FC announces two title fights for November 20 show. Tim Bissell. October 15, 2020. bloodyelbow.com.
  27. Web site: Video: Pearl Gonzalez announces withdrawal from Invicta FC 43 title fight due to positive COVID-19 test. Alexander K. Lee. mmafighting.com. November 2, 2020.
  28. Free agent Pearl Gonzalez Focused On Boxing Career, But Not Ruling Out MMA Return. August 24, 2022. MMAjunkie.com. YouTube.
  29. Web site: 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) . April 12, 2024.
  30. Web site: Sherdog.com . XFC 50 - Xtreme Fighting Championships . 2024-04-22 . Sherdog . en.
  31. Web site: Former UFC, Invicta FC fighter Pearl Gonzalez signs multi-fight deal with BKFC. Danny Segura. April 22, 2021. MMAjunkie.com.
  32. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez books bareknuckle debut, meets Charisa Sigala at BKFC 18. June 1, 2021. MMAjunkie.com. Nolan King.
  33. Web site: BKFC 18 results: Pearl Gonzalez pitches shutout with lopsided decision win over Charisa Sigala. Damon Martin. June 27, 2021. mmafighting.com.
  34. Web site: Britain Hart vs. Pearl Gonzalez announced for BKFC 22. October 31, 2021. mmafighting.com. Alexander K. Lee.
  35. Web site: BKFC 22 results: Britain Hart outpaces Pearl Gonzalez in intense five-round battle. November 12, 2021. MMAjunkie.com. Matthew Wells.
  36. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez says BKFC 22 loss to Britain Hart was her 'last bare-knuckle fight'. Mike Heck. November 14, 2021.
  37. Web site: BKFC Miami Bonuses. November 16, 2021. BKFC. instagram.com.
  38. Web site: Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens headline Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1. Danny Segura. February 6, 2023. MMAjunkie.com.
  39. Web site: Pearl Gonzalez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. April 15, 2018.

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