Mike Perry’s Return to MMA
After stepping away from mixed martial arts and finding success in bare-knuckle boxing, Mike Perry is preparing to return to MMA for a highly anticipated matchup against Nate Diaz. This fight is scheduled as part of Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions event on Netflix, taking place on May 16. Perry, 34, has made a remarkable mark in bare-knuckle boxing since joining the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in 2022, boasting an impressive record of six consecutive victories in the organization.
Challenges with BKFC
Despite his success, Perry’s relationship with BKFC has been rocky. Following his fight against Jake Paul in 2024, where Perry explored other avenues by launching his own promotion, Dirty Boxing, BKFC founder Dave Feldman expressed his discontent. Perry managed to return to the ring with BKFC in October 2022, earning a fifth-round stoppage against Jeremy Stephens, but now finds himself in an uneasy position with the promotion again.
Earlier this month, Feldman hinted at plans for Perry’s future within BKFC that now seem derailed due to Perry’s decision to pursue other opportunities. Perry addressed these developments on The Ariel Helwani Show, expressing regret that their timelines did not align.
“As an independent contractor, it’s my duty to seek out profitable ventures,”
he noted, referring to his boxing match with Paul as a potential exit clause in his BKFC contract that he was previously unaware of.
He clarified that despite the distraction, he remains interested in returning to BKFC, especially as they bring in fresh talent like Darren Till, who recently signed with the organization and is expected to make his debut on May 30.
Training and Future Prospects
While cross-training for his return to MMA collaboration with UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney, Perry admitted to the physical challenges posed by reintegrating all aspects of MMA training. His upcoming bout against Diaz will mark his first foray back into MMA since suffering a defeat to Daniel Rodriguez in 2021. Perry remains optimistic about the transition, noting that the skills he honed in bare-knuckle boxing have prepared him to adapt more easily.
With both fighters now connected to BKFC, there is renewed interest in a potential matchup between Perry and Till, a fight that fans have long speculated about. Perry confirmed that discussions about his fight with Till had been ongoing for some time, highlighting a previous offer made to Till worth $2 million to step into the ring with him. Perry, however, maintained confidence in the promotional team to find appropriate opponents for both fighters as Till prepares for his debut.
Looking Ahead
As he gears up to face Diaz, Perry is acutely aware of the stakes riding on this bout. A victory could open significant doors and reshape his career, with his sights set on becoming a bigger name in combat sports—
“the sky is the limit, and a big win here will surely have people clamoring for my signature,”
he remarked, looking ahead to the potential future he could carve for himself beyond the upcoming fight.
