Mike Perry Leaves BKFC Behind, Commits to Full-Time MMA Return
Mike Perry confirms his departure from BKFC after six undefeated fights to focus exclusively on MMA.
Mike Perry is done with bare knuckle. The former UFC welterweight confirmed he is leaving Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to return to mixed martial arts full time, telling reporters he plans to give MMA his complete focus for the foreseeable future.
"I'm going to give it my best shot," Perry said of his MMA comeback.
Perry went undefeated in six BKFC appearances, winning the promotion's King of Violence title along the way. His bare knuckle run included victories over former UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold, cementing him as the biggest draw in BKFC history.
The 34-year-old had not competed in MMA since losing to Daniel Rodriguez in his final UFC appearance in April 2021. That changed in May when Perry beat Nate Diaz by second-round doctor's stoppage TKO on the Netflix MVP debut card, his first MMA bout in over five years.
Perry fought again in August at Duel: Arena, stepping in on short notice against Brandon Jenkins after Dillon Danis withdrew two days before the event. Perry lost by first-round stoppage after suffering a partial labral tear that caused his shoulder to pop out during an exchange, per Yahoo Sports.
Perry said he does not expect to need surgery for the shoulder injury, noting that his doctors believe the surrounding muscles are supporting the area well enough. He is currently building back his training volume.
No specific promotion or opponent has been announced for Perry's next fight. BKFC president David Feldman recently acknowledged Perry was preparing to pursue another opportunity, per MMA Mania.
As for Danis, Perry has not let the last-minute withdrawal go. "If I see him, we gotta squabble, bro," Perry said.
There's something about Perry that makes you root for him even when the smart money says you shouldn't. Six wins, zero losses in bare knuckle, the King of Violence title, and he's walking away because MMA is where his heart is. I respect the hell out of that.
The shoulder injury against Jenkins was rough luck. You take a short-notice fight after Danis bails on you, then your shoulder pops and it's all over. But Perry says he's healing without surgery, and the guy has always been tougher than his situation.
The real question is where he lands. PFL, maybe even a UFC return if Dana picks up the phone. Perry at his best is one of the most entertaining fighters on the planet. Wherever he goes, I'm watching.
KEEP TALKING FIGHTS.
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