Erick Gonzalez • Stats, Record and Fight History

BIO

FIGHTS

STATS

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

• UFC Fight Night(2/25/23) Gonzalez was knocked out by Trevor Peek at 4:59 of the first round
• UFC on ESPN (8/6/22) Gonzalez was submitted by Terrance McKinney via rear naked choke at 2:17 of the first round
• UFC Fight Night(10/16/21) Gonzalez was knocked out by Jim Miller at :14 of the second round

IMPORTANT FACTS

Pro since 2015

Eight wins by KO, one by submission (triangle)

Six first-round finishes

Won four of his last eight

Faced UFC vets Humberto Bandenay and Rafa Garcia

Origin of nickname: “It originated when my family ran our restaurant, called Habaneros Pepper, located in Torrance. It was Mexican food and Mexican vegan food. One day I was with my family eating with my mom, uncle, and a business partner at the time while training full-time. Anyways, as we ate, my uncle pulled out a ghost pepper and dared me to eat it. I did not know what type of pepper it was, but I just love spicy food. I ended up eating the whole thing and immediately started choking and my face turned red. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed what I could to help. After nothing helped, I learned a hard lesson about what type of pepper I was eating. After that, the business partner said ‘The Ghost Pepper’ would be a great name for you because you don’t look like a fighter and it’s very marketable, so I stuck with it. Now everybody just calls me ghost or GP.”

Q & A

Q: When and why did you start training for fighting?

Q: What ranks and titles have you held?

ANSWER: I'm a blue belt in jiu jitsu but roll at a much higher experience since I only do no gi. MMA jiu jitsu is different and that's why I'm successful in fighting on the ground. I had one title fight as a pro, but lost a decision, which was for Combate Global

Q: Do you have any heroes?

ANSWER: My hero is my mom. We went through a lot together. Her strength to give me a better life has motivated me beyond belief. She migrated from Mexico and had to go through the border illegally. I was lucky to be born in the USA, but we did suffer, and I lived in a car as a toddler, so I lived a rough childhood, but it made me the fighter I am today. my mom is definitely the person who has made me who I am and my only hero

Q: What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC?

ANSWER: This has been my dream since I started and the only reason I wanted to do this. This feeling I have right now to know I have a contract and get to fight with a veteran, I'm on top of the world and can't wait to show what I am made of to everyone. I want to make my family proud and prove to everyone that hard work pays off. I started this journey seven years ago and I'm finally here, so I will show up ready for absolute chaos

Q: Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn?

ANSWER: Some college for automotive, but I didn’t finish

Q: What was your job before you started fighting?

ANSWER: I currently work for a restaurant called Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks, and I bartend weekends. Before that, I helped my family run a restaurant called Habaneros Pepper, which was a Mexican food and Mexican vegan spot, and we had the #1 spot for three years

Q: Specific accomplishments in pro competition?

ANSWER: I fought in a tournament in Peru for Combate Global where I fought three fights in one night. I made it to the finals and lost a decision. I also fought for the title but came up short in a decision loss

Q: Favorite grappling technique:

ANSWER: Ground-and-pound. I call them hellbows

Q: Favorite Striking technique:

ANSWER: Teeps, elbows, and kicks