Career
Background
Pace is head instructor at one of the branches of Tiger Schulmann"s Mixed Martial Arts and has trained with the team since the age of 10, influenced by his childhood love of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Bellator
Pace began his career in the Ring of Combat promotion at Ring of Combat 22. He defeated Sean Santella via unanimous decision.
Pace then joined the Bellator Fighting Championships and gained notice in the media with a flying knee KO of Collin Tebo.
Ring of Combat
Despite his wishes to compete in the Bellator tournament, he did not return and instead rejoined Ring of Combat where he defeated Lennox Chance via submission (rear naked choke) in the first round. He followed this up with a unanimous decision victory over Jose Adriano at Ring of Combat 29.
Pace was then rewarded with a Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship fight against Steve DeAngelis. Pace was able to neutralise the wrestling of his opponent to keep himself out of trouble.
Pace would later have to relinquish the title, however, after signing with World Extreme Cagefighting.
World Extreme Cagefighting
Pace made his WEC debut against Demetrious Johnson on September 30, 2010, replacing Clint Godfrey. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Ultimate Fighting Championship
In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. Pace faced Will Campuzano on December 4, 2010 at The Ultimate Fighter: Team Generalized System of Preferences versus
Team Koscheck Finale. Pace failed to make weight for the bout, so it was fought as a catchweight bout.
Pace defeated Campuzano in the 3rd round with a pillory choke, which was the first time the submission was used in a professional mixed martial arts bout. Pace was expected to face Michael McDonald on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133.
However, Pace instead faced Ivan Menjivar at the event after McDonald was pulled from the bout to compete at UFC 130.
Pace lost via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Pace faced Miguel Torres on November 19, 2011 at UFC 139 in a catchweight bout of 141 pounds after missing weight. Pace lost a decisive decision to Torres after three rounds.
After losing to Torres, and missing weight for the second time in three fights, Pace was released from the promotion.
Cage Fury Fighting Championships
After four years away from competition, Pace made his return to Mobile Marketing Association and fought for the CFFC Bantamweight Championship against Ricky Bandejas on October 31, 2015. Ring of Combat
Republic of China Bantamweight Championship (One time)
Cage Fury Fighting Championships
CFFC Bantamweight Championship (One time, Current).