How will UFC featherweight standout Bryce Mitchell respond to the first loss of his career? We’ll find out in May.
Mitchell (15-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) has booked his next fight against the streaking Jonathan Pearce (14-4 MMA, 5-1 UFC) for a UFC event May 6. The card does not yet have a known location or venue, but reportedly will be UFC 288.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie, but asked to remain anonymous since the UFC has yet to announce the fight. Instagram user BRKRZ was first to share the news.
Mitchell, 28, started his MMA career 15-0 until his first loss in his most recent fight, a second-round submission to Ilia Topuria this past December at UFC 282. Afterward, Mitchell chalked up his performance to a bout with the flu that he said disrupted his training camp. He said he regretted going through with the fight and added that he had no choice because of financial woes. Despite the setback, Mitchell remains No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings.
While unranked Pearce, 30, is considered a step down in competition, he’s been on the rise ever since he lost his UFC debut in October 2019. Pearce, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, has won five fights in a row, including three in 2022: a decision vs. Christian Rodriguez, a TKO of Makwan Amirkhani and a decision vs. Darren Elkins in his most recent fight this past December.
