| Ross Pearson | |
|---|---|
 Ross Pearson at UFC 105 weigh-ins | |
| Born | (1984-09-26)26 September 1984 (age 41) Sunderland,Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom |
| Other names | The Real Deal |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[1] |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) |
| Division | Welterweight Lightweight Featherweight |
| Reach | 69 in (175 cm)[1] |
| Style | Boxing |
| Fighting out of | Sunderland,Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom |
| Team | The Alliance |
| Rank | Black belt inTaekwondo[2] Brown belt inJudo[2] Blue belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3] |
| Years active | 2004–2019 (MMA) 2019–2021 (Boxing)[4] |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 2 |
| Wins | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 38 |
| Wins | 20 |
| By knockout | 7 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 17 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 9 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Spouse | Kristie Jane Pearson |
| Website | http://www.rosspearson.net/ |
| Boxing record fromBoxRec | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Ross Pearson (born 26 September 1984) is a retired Englishmixed martial artist andprofessional boxer. A 26-fight veteran of theUFC, he was a three-time "Fight of the Night" winner and was the lightweight winner ofThe Ultimate Fighter 9.
Pearson, born and raised inSunderland, England, began training inTae Kwon Do at the age of six, before addingJudo andBoxing to his repertoire in high-school. Pearson later began training inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 17. He also attended Carilion Craft Training in Sunderland. Pearson worked as a brick layer afterwards. Inspired by early UFC events, Pearson decided to become a professional MMA fighter.[5][6]
In 2009, Pearson competed on the reality TV showThe Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom. He placed first in the lightweight division.[7]
Pearson defeatedkickboxerDennis Siver by unanimous decision on 31 March atUFC Fight Night 21.[8]
Pearson was submitted byCole Miller via second-roundrear-naked choke on 15 September 2010 atUFC Fight Night 22.[9]
Pearson facedSpencer Fisher on 27 February 2011 atUFC 127. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]
Pearson lost toEdson Barboza via split decision atUFC 134[11] in a bout that earnedFight of the Night honours.[12]
For his next fight, Pearson dropped toFeatherweight and facedJunior Assunção on 30 December atUFC 141. Pearson won the fight by unanimous decision.[13]
Pearson facedCub Swanson on 22 June 2012 atUFC on FX 4. He lost the fight by TKO late into the second round.[14]
In July Pearson was confirmed as the Team UK coach forThe Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes. Pearson facedGeorge Sotiropoulos in aLightweight bout on 15 December 2012 atUFC on FX 6. He won the fight by an early third-round TKO.[15]
Pearson next facedRyan Couture on 6 April 2013 atUFC on Fuel TV 9. He won the fight by TKO in the third round.[16]
Pearson facedMelvin Guillard on 26 October 2013 atUFC Fight Night 30.[17] The fight ended in a no contest when Pearson was deemed unable to continue after being cut on the forehead by an accidental illegal knee.[18]
A rematch with Guillard was expected to take place on 8 March 2014 atUFC Fight Night 37. However, Pearson pulled out of the bout citing a knee injury and was replaced byMichael Johnson.[19]
Pearson facedDiego Sanchez on 7 June 2014 atUFC Fight Night 42.[20] Despite outstriking Sanchez in every round, and getting a knockdown in round 2, Pearson would ultimate lose the fight by highly controversial split decision.[21] 13 of 14 media scorecards had the bout 30-27 Pearson, while the 14th had Pearson winning 29–28.[22] As a result, Pearson filed an appeal with the New Mexico Athletic Commission, "in hopes the decision is overturned, at the very least to a no-contest."[23] The official decision was ultimately upheld.[24] Despite an official loss on the scorecards, UFC presidentDana White indicated that the organisation had ruled out the possibility of an immediate rematch and said that they would informally treat it as a win for Pearson, and that he would be compensated that way. UFC paid Pearson $30,000 as an unofficial win bonus[25]
Pearson was expected to faceAbel Trujillo on 16 August 2014 atUFC Fight Night 47.[26] However, on 4 August, Trujillo pulled out of the bout and was replaced byGray Maynard.[27] He won the fight by TKO in the second round. After a close first round, early in the second round Pearson landed a combination which knocked Maynard down, causing the referee, Keith Peterson, to step in to stop the fight as Maynard was deemed not to be intelligently defending himself.[28]
Pearson facedAl Iaquinta on 8 November 2014 atUFC Fight Night 55.[29] Despite being the odds-on-favorite, Pearson lost the fight via TKO in the second round.[30]
Pearson facedSam Stout on 14 March 2015 atUFC 185.[31] Pearson won the fight via knockout in the second round dropping Stout with a left hook and finishing him with a right hand on the ground.[32] Subsequently, Pearson won aPerformance of the Night bonus.[33]
Pearson facedEvan Dunham on 18 July 2015 atUFC Fight Night 72.[34] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[35]
Pearson facedPaul Felder on 5 September 2015 atUFC 191.[36] He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[37]
Pearson facedFrancisco Trinaldo on 17 January atUFC Fight Night 81.[38] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]
Pearson was expected to faceAbel Trujillo on 20 March atUFC Fight Night 85.[40] However, Trujillo was removed from the card on 12 March due to allegedvisa issues which restricted his entry to Australia. As a result, Pearson facedChad Laprise on the card.[41] He won the fight via split decision.[42]
Pearson was expected to faceJames Krause on 8 July atThe Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[43] However, Krause was pulled from the fight on 13 June for undisclosed reasons and replaced byWill Brooks.[44][45] Pearson lost the fight via unanimous decision.[46]
After the loss, Ross Pearson moved to the Welterweight division. Pearson explained that cutting less weight gives him more energy and better sleep.[47] He repeatedly had renal and digestive issues due to the weight cut.[48]
Pearson came in as a short notice replacement to faceJorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout on 30 July atUFC 201, filling in for an illSiyar Bahadurzada.[49][50] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[51]
A rescheduled bout withJames Krause was scheduled for 19 November atUFC Fight Night 99.[52] Subsequently, on 26 October, Krause pulled out of the fight citing a torn hamstring.[53] He was replaced byStevie Ray.[54] Pearson lost the fight via split decision.[55]
Despite the three-fight losing streak, Pearson did not want to retire. He wanted the UFC to host an event atNewcastle before retirement.[56]
Pearson facedDan Hooker on 11 June 2017 atUFC Fight Night 110. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[57]
Pearson facedMizuto Hirota on 11 February 2018 atUFC 221.[58] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[59]
Pearson facedJohn Makdessi on 28 July 2018 atUFC on Fox 30.[60] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[61] This fight earned him theFight of the Night award.[62]
Pearson was expected to faceJoseph Duffy on 2 December 2018 atUFC Fight Night 142.[63] However, Pearson announced on 7 November that he was out of the bout due to a broken nose and subsequent surgery to correct the injury.[64]
Pearson facedDesmond Green on 30 March 2019 atUFC on ESPN 2.[65] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[66]
Pearson announced his retirement on 8 April 2019.[67]
Pearson returned to MMA on 16 November to fight Davy Gallon at Probellum 1, losing the fight via KO.[68]
Pearson is known for his powerful punches.[69] His favourite grappling technique is thearmbar.[5]
Pearson has stated that his hero isRandy Couture.[5][6]
Pearson is a member ofThe Alliance MMA Gym. Nick Hands coaches Pearson's Muay Thai, Sean Casey coaches Pearson's boxing, and Barry Gibson serves as Pearson's strength and conditioning coach.[6]
Pearson met his Australian wife, Kristie Jane Pearson when she worked as aring girl for the UFC. Pearson moved to Australia to be with his wife. They have two daughters.[70]
In his free time, Pearson doesmotocross.[71]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom | Himself | Winner of Lightweight division |
| 2010 | MMA Live | Himself | Episode dated 29 July 2010[72] |
| 2012 | The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes | Himself | Head coach of Team UK |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | UFC Undisputed 2010 | Himself | Playable character |
| 2012 | UFC Undisputed 3 | Himself | Playable character |
| 2014 | EA Sports UFC | Himself | Playable character |
| 2016 | EA Sports UFC 2 | Himself | Playable character |
| 2018 | EA Sports UFC 3 | Himself | Playable character |
| 38 matches | 20 wins | 17 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 6 |
| By submission | 4 | 2 |
| By decision | 8 | 9 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 20–17 (1) | Davy Gallon | KO (rolling thunder kick) | Probellum 1 | 16 November 2019 | 3 | 4:26 | Brentwood, Essex, England | |
| Loss | 20–16 (1) | Desmond Green | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje | 30 March 2019 | 1 | 2:52 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
| Loss | 20–15 (1) | John Makdessi | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 | 28 July 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 20–14 (1) | Mizuto Hirota | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 221 | 11 February 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Perth, Australia | |
| Loss | 19–14 (1) | Dan Hooker | KO (knee) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt | 11 June 2017 | 2 | 3:02 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Loss | 19–13 (1) | Stevie Ray | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 | 19 November 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | |
| Loss | 19–12 (1) | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 201 | 30 July 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Welterweight bout. |
| Loss | 19–11 (1) | Will Brooks | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale | 8 July 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 19–10 (1) | Chad Laprise | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Mir | 20 March 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Brisbane, Australia | |
| Loss | 18–10 (1) | Francisco Trinaldo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz | 17 January 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 18–9 (1) | Paul Felder | Decision (split) | UFC 191 | 5 September 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 17–9 (1) | Evan Dunham | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites | 18 July 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Glasgow, Scotland, Scotland | |
| Win | 17–8 (1) | Sam Stout | KO (punch) | UFC 185 | 14 March 2015 | 2 | 1:33 | Dallas, Texas, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 16–8 (1) | Al Iaquinta | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping | 8 November 2014 | 2 | 1:39 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Win | 16–7 (1) | Gray Maynard | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. St. Preux | 16 August 2014 | 2 | 1:35 | Bangor, Maine, United States | |
| Loss | 15–7 (1) | Diego Sanchez | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov | 7 June 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | |
| NC | 15–6 (1) | Melvin Guillard | NC (illegal knee) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Munoz | 26 October 2013 | 1 | 1:57 | Manchester, England | Pearson was unable to continue after being cut by an accidental illegal knee. |
| Win | 15–6 | Ryan Couture | TKO (punches) | UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi | 6 April 2013 | 2 | 3:45 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
| Win | 14–6 | George Sotiropoulos | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Sotiropoulos vs. Pearson | 15 December 2012 | 3 | 0:41 | Gold Coast, Australia | Return to Lightweight. |
| Loss | 13–6 | Cub Swanson | TKO (punches) | UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida | 22 June 2012 | 2 | 4:14 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–5 | Junior Assunção | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 141 | 30 December 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Featherweight debut. |
| Loss | 12–5 | Edson Barboza | Decision (split) | UFC 134 | 27 August 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 12–4 | Spencer Fisher | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 127 | 27 February 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | |
| Loss | 11–4 | Cole Miller | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares | 15 September 2010 | 2 | 1:49 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Dennis Siver | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi | 31 March 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–3 | Aaron Riley | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UFC 105 | 14 November 2009 | 2 | 4:38 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 9–3 | Andre Winner | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom Finale | 20 June 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | WonThe Ultimate Fighter 9 Lightweight tournament. |
| Win | 8–3 | Ian Jones | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ultimate Force: Nemesis | 1 November 2008 | 1 | 3:33 | Doncaster, England | Defended the UF Lightweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–3 | Abdul Mohamed | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Gladiators 9: Beatdown | 4 October 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Liverpool, England | |
| Win | 7–2 | Cedric Celerier | TKO (submission to punches) | MMA Total Combat 24 | 31 May 2008 | 1 | 2:35 | London, England | |
| Win | 6–2 | Aidan Marron | Submission (armbar) | Ultimate Force: Punishment | 3 May 2008 | 3 | 4:34 | Doncaster, England | Won the vacant UF Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–2 | Sami Berik | Submission (triangle choke) | Strike and Submit 6 | 13 April 2008 | 1 | 0:37 | Gateshead, England | |
| Win | 4–2 | Mark Spencer | TKO (punches) | MMA Total Combat 23 | 23 February 2008 | 1 | 3:44 | Cornwall, England | |
| Win | 3–2 | Steve Tetley | Submission (armbar) | CWFC: Enter The Rough House 5 | 8 December 2007 | 1 | 4:46 | Nottingham, England | |
| Win | 2–2 | Gavin Bradley | KO (punch) | MMA Total Combat 22 | 24 November 2007 | 1 | 2:05 | Cornwall, England | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Curt Warburton | TKO (doctor stoppage) | MMA Total Combat 21 | 22 September 2007 | 1 | 5:00 | Cornwall, England | |
| Win | 1–1 | Will Burke | Decision | MMA Total Combat 21 | 22 September 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Cornwall, England | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Chris Hughes | Submission (rear-naked choke) | HOP 1: Fight Night 1 | 12 December 2004 | 2 | 2:33 | Swansea, Wales |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 3 matches | 3 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 3–0 | Jason Dent | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom | 7 June 2009 (airdate) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Semi-finals. |
| Win | 2–0 | Richie Whitson | Submission (armbar) | 13 May 2009 (airdate) | 1 | 3:40 | Quarter-finals. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | A.J. Wenn | TKO (punches) | 1 April 2009 (airdate) | 2 | 0:21 | Preliminary bout. |
| 2 fights | 1 win | 1 loss |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Max Reeves | TKO | 1 (8) 1:09 | 27 November 2021 | Lucknow Football Oval,Bairnsdale | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Salar King | TKO | 2 (4) 2:21 | 15 May 2019 | The Star, Sydney, Australia |
