Mike Pierce

Background

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, 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.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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

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

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

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

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

Pierce fought Aaron Simpson on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5. After a dominant first round put in by Simpson, nearly finishing Pierce on two separate occasions, Pierce came back, and 29 seconds into the second round, finished Simpson via one punch KO.

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

Pierce fought David Mitchell on July 6, 2013 at UFC 162. 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.

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

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

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

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