Who is Pearl Gonzalez? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Age: 38 Years, 38 Year Old Females

Mixed Martial Artists American Women

Height: 5'4" (163 cm), 5'4" Females

City: Chicago, Illinois

U.S. State: Illinois

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Childhood & Early Life

Pearl Gonzales was born on August 12, 1986 in Chicago, Illinois. She had a rough and difficult upbringing since both her parents were drug-addicts.

Her parents were homeless when she was young, so she along with her younger sister often used to roam on streets without any parental guidance or supervision. She even joined local gangs for survival.

She and her sister were taken away from her mother due to her drug-addiction, and were raised by their father as a single parent.

Pearl was introduced to wrestling at 11, as her father decided to put her into some after-school activity in order to put her off from getting into trouble. She found something to do after school, and had her first fight a few months later (Pankration V.Canada).

She left her father’s place at 17 to look out for herself. However, it wasn’t as easy as it first seemed. She committed a robbery at the age of 18 and jailed for the same. She states that she spent 9 days in the jail, and her time there made her realize that she was supposed to do something worthwhile in life, and vowed to turn her life around.

She pulled her younger sister out of gang culture, took care of her by working two-three jobs that included being a Vet Assistant, working as an extra at movies, commercials, prints etc. She successfully sent her sister to High School, and her sister even had a diploma.

She then decided to turn to wrestling, and she now says that she became the woman she is today because of all that she’s been through, so she regrets nothing.

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Career

Pearl started her fighting career as an amateur in September 2008, and made her professional debut in Ring’s of Combat 39 Event in 2012. She faced Munah Holland in her first fight, but lost by a majority decision.

In 2013, she faced Suzie Montero in ‘XFC 22: Crossing the Line’ and won by submission. She arm locked UFC competitor Courtney Casey at ‘XFC 26: Night of the Champions’ and again won via submission. Following that, she became the ‘XFX Women’s Straweight Champion’.

In 2015, she won by unanimous decision by defeating Nikki Duncan at XFO 55. She defeated Valleria Mejia via KTO in the same year at XFO 56: Outdoor Wars 11. At XFS Heat, she defeated Katie Anita Runyan by submission.

In 2016, she defeated Katie Casmir at ‘HFC: Kraus vs. Kapel’ via submission. She is most recognized by this victory in her career.

In 2017, she made her UFC debut against Cynthia Calvillio at UFC 210, and lost via choke submission.

Her next bout will take place on October 10th, 2017 against Poliana Botelho at UFC 216.

Awards & Achievements

She is the ‘Inaugural XFC Flyweight Champion’.

She also became a ‘Golden Gloves Champion’ in 2008.

Gonzalez became the ‘XFC Women Strawweight Champion’ in 2013.

Personal Life

She got married to a Navy officer, Javier Keyser, in May of 2013 at Imperial Beach, California. Her husband sang the U.S National Anthem on-board the USS San Diego.

Her husband lives in San Diego, while she often has to travel due to her work.

She got into a controversy of getting breasts implants before her UFC debut. Rumors of her being removed from the event made rounds, but it was later said that she was on for her debut, and that she must be in news for her talent rather than anything else.

She is also active on social media via her accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Pearl Gonzalez Biography