Jonathan Pearce was none too happy with UFC Vegas 91 opponent David Onama missing weight on Friday, and no doubt carried that animosity with him into Saturday’s main card fight.
“JSP” would look to walk his opponent down throughout much of the first round, but had trouble cutting off the cage and finding his range. Onama had a speed advantage to make matters worse, and more often than not, Pearce’s punches were falling short.
Towards the end of the opening round, Pearce got the fight into his wheelhouse, taking things to the ground and mounting the back. Onama, however, stayed busy, stayed mobile, and reversed, getting on top inside Pearce’s guard. A few seconds and a scramble later and they were back up to the feet, where Pearce would immediately shoot for another takedown.
That takedown was again reversed, with Onama again ending up on top, finishing the round in Pearce’s guard.
Round two saw the pair go to the ground early, with Pearce just chain wrestling and keeping the pressure on. Back take after back take, submission attempt after submission attempt followed. Onama wouldn’t really make it back up to his feet until inside of the final minute of the second; at range, he fired his jab and low kick, catching Pearce repeatedly.
Onama’s speed advantage was on display again in round three as he darted in-and-out, keeping JSP on his backfoot. Pearce finally clinched up about 90 seconds in, but Onama quickly get his back off the fence and escaped. Pearce fanned on an uppercut, and Onama returned fire. His left hand continually connected, snapping back the head of Pearce. That led to Pearce returning to his wrestling; when they went to the ground at the midway mark, an immediate scramble saw Onama right back up.
The next takedown attempt by Jonathan Pearce was immediately stuffed care of the sprawl of David Onama. The next takedown landed, however, with Peace taking the back only for Onama to reverse. A motivation killer to be sure, with barely a minute left on the clock. They went rock ’em, sock ’em in the final minute, both men swinging for the fences, but the winner was clear and it was Onama.
Official Result: David Onama def. Jonathan Pearce by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
