Bryce Mitchell is set to face off against Jonathan Pearce at UFC 288 on May 6
Bryce Mitchell and Jonathan Pearce will meet in a featherweight showdown on May 6.
Mitchell vs. Pearce has been added to UFC 288. The event doesn’t have an official venue or fight card, but two other matchups have been confirmed — Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya and Daniel Santos vs. Johnny Munoz Jr.
UFC 288 is expected to be headlined by a lightweight No. 1 contender fight between Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush, but nothing has been announced by the promotion. Marcel Dorff confirmed on Twitter that ‘Thug Nasty’ would be fighting ‘JSP’:
“Bryce Mitchell will fight Jonathan Pearce at #UFC288 on May 6th. (first rep. BRKRZ) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2023”
Mitchell last fought against Ilia Topuria in December 2022, losing for the first time in his pro-MMA career. ‘Thug Nasty’ is still the No. 11-ranked featherweight, hoping to get back on track against ‘JSP.’
Meanwhile, Pearce holds a UFC record of 5-1 after losing his promotional debut against Joe Lauzon in the first round. Since then, the 30-year-old has finished three of his five wins while evolving into a potential future contender along the way. He now has a chance to crack the featherweight top 15 with a win against Mitchell.
Bryce Mitchell will fight Jonathan Pearce at #UFC288 on May 6th. (first rep. BRKRZ) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2023 https://t.co/lfbhN9O3fh
Fans react to Bryce Mitchell vs. Jonathan Pearce being added to UFC 288
There is a lot of pressure on Bryce Mitchell heading into UFC 288. ‘Thug Nasty’ had a disappointing performance last time out and needs a win to silence the doubters. However, Jonathan Pearce has become somewhat of a fan favorite after looking phenomenal in his past few fights.
Once the fight was confirmed on Twitter, some fans reacted to the featherweight matchup by saying:
“Bryce about to be on a 2 fight losing streak. JSP dominates”
@BigMarcel24 @ThugnastyMMA @JSPmma Bryce about to be on a 2 fight losing streak. JSP dominates
“banger i think bryce can get back in the win column with this one”
@BigMarcel24 @ThugnastyMMA @JSPmma banger i think bryce can get back in the win column with this one
“Bryces teeps and Jab will win him this fight. Hope he really searches for a real gym. He won't stay ranked for long just training on the farm. Imagine him and Wittman.”
@BigMarcel24 @ThugnastyMMA @JSPmma Bryces teeps and Jab will win him this fight. Hope he really searches for a real gym. He won't stay ranked for long just training on the farm. Imagine him and Wittman.
“Wow… just Wow!! Can’t wait for this one, should b very fun!!”
Wow… just Wow!! Can’t wait for this one, should b very fun!! twitter.com/bigmarcel24/st…
‘Thug Nasty’ is accepting a risky matchup against Pearce. The latter has continued to improve and doesn’t offer Mitchell an opportunity to fight a ranked opponent. The winner at UFC 288 could find themselves one or two wins away from fighting elite competition in the featherweight division.
Check out how Bryce Mitchell confirmed his upcoming fight below: