Mike Perry, the former UFC fighter turned BKFC star, has always been a crowd-pleaser, known for his all-action, brawling style since his debut in combat sports. Perry’s journey led him to depart from the UFC in 2021 and join the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), a decision he recently confirmed: he won’t be returning to the UFC.

In 2021, Perry marked his BKFC debut with a victory against Julian Lane and then faced former Bellator star Michael ‘Venom’ Page in London, emerging victorious in both encounters. These wins set the stage for his most significant BKFC showdown yet, a battle against former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

Perry’s relentless forward pressure and relentless flurries of punches overwhelmed Rockhold, resulting in Rockhold’s withdrawal after the second round and securing Perry the most significant win of his career. But even that might not be enough to entice Perry to return to the Octagon.

Mike Perry reveals that the UFC cannot afford ‘Platinum’

In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Perry explained his decision to forego a return to the UFC and re-sign with BKFC. Perry cited the substantial pay cut he would have faced in the UFC. As well as his preference for BKFC’s bare-knuckle boxing format.

Perry expressed, “No, because the pay cut would have been too massive. So, it’s like whatever. And it’s 5-minute rounds, and it’s MMA, and you know, I like the boxing.”

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Perry also explained that in MMA, he trained in various disciplines and even became proficient in grappling and wrestling. However, he often found himself in fights where the strategy was to secure takedowns, while his instinct was to strike. He acknowledged that he should not use this as an excuse and emphasized that, as a fighter and athlete, he should be the one to dictate his fighting style. Consequently, he now trains exclusively for his preferred style, which aligns with bare-knuckle boxing.

Read More: “Fight Me”: 3 Years After Their Fight Failed to Come to Fruition, UFC HOFer Robbie Lawler Receives a BKFC Offer From Mike Perry

The conversation also touched upon the possibility of Perry’s next opponent in BKFC and his next fight.
One of the names brought up was Conor McGregor. However, Perry disclosed that contractual obligations might prevent this possibility.

The future for Perry in the BKFC

Perry also revealed his intention to return to the BKFC ring by December 2023. However, as of the current moment, BKFC has not officially disclosed information about Perry, the card, or his potential opponents. Perry clarified that fans speculating about a bare-knuckle bout between him and Conor McGregor would be disappointed. Although speculation arose following Perry and McGregor’s in-ring encounter after Perry’s TKO victory over Luke Rockhold at BKFC 41, Perry believed that McGregor had a strong commitment to the UFC.

Addressing the possibility of a McGregor fight, Perry stated, “I don’t think so because I think he’s pretty locked up with the UFC. I asked for the faceoff [at BKFC 41] just for the attention Conor brings.”

The future holds uncertainties for Mike Perry, but one thing is certain: when he returns to the ring, it promises to be an electrifying spectacle. Share your thoughts in the comments below. Which UFC fighter do you believe might step into the BKFC ring in the future?

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