Mike Perry, extensively generally known as bare-knuckle boxing’s “King of Violence,” is getting ready to return to combined martial arts after ending his affiliation with Naked Knuckle Combating Championship (BKFC).
The previous UFC fan favourite turned considered one of BKFC’s largest stars, serving to elevate the promotion via his high-profile performances. Throughout his time within the bare-knuckle ring, Perry secured notable victories over Michael “Venom” Web page, former UFC champion Luke Rockhold, and Eddie Alvarez.
Nonetheless, Perry has not competed for BKFC since knocking out Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 final 12 months. Following an prolonged interval of contract negotiations, hypothesis grew that the fighter was contemplating alternatives elsewhere, a possible setback for the promotion given his standing as considered one of its main sights.
After rebuilding his profession in bare-knuckle combating, Perry now seems able to return to MMA and compete with gloves as soon as once more.
Talking on The Ariel Helwani Present, Perry mentioned his determination to maneuver on from BKFC and pursue a brand new problem.
“ That bare-knuckle stuff, it’s like a cheat code. I used to be good at it; it was enjoyable, I made some noise doing it. And I’m prepared for one more problem,” Perry stated.
“I feel MMA is in my foreseeable future, and I’m going to provide it my greatest shot. I sort of did my factor over [at BKFC], and now it appears like we’re going a unique manner. I feel it’s gloves for me…for at the least two years.”
Perry had lately been linked to a possible BKFC headliner towards longtime rival Darren Until, who most lately defeated Yoel Romero. Nonetheless, with Perry now departing the promotion, a matchup between the 2 seems unlikely within the close to future.
Perry has already made a return to MMA this 12 months, defeating former UFC famous person Nate Diaz on the undercard of the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano occasion. He may additionally reunite with MVP MMA because the promotion prepares for its full launch subsequent 12 months.
A potential return to the UFC stays another choice. Perry competed underneath the UFC banner for 5 years, from 2016 to 2021, earlier than leaving the promotion following a defeat to Daniel Rodriguez in April 2021.
Together with his BKFC chapter seemingly behind him, Perry is now trying towards the following part of his combating profession, with MMA rising as his major focus for at the least the following two years.
