Former UFC fighter Mike Perry, known for action-packed UFC fights, issues outside the cage and having his girlfriend work his corner, has signed a deal with Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC), the promotion announced Tuesday. Perry’s manager Malki Kawa of First Round Management said Perry’s UFC contract expired with his April loss to Daniel Rodriguez.
Perry, 30, lost two in a row and seven of his last 10 fights in the UFC. He’ll join the likes of former UFC title contender Chad Mendes and the popular Paige VanZant in BKFC. Perry leaves the UFC with a 7-8 record in the welterweight division, including four KO/TKO victories.
Last year, Perry was arrested on assault charges in Texas after knocking down an older man with a punch at a bar. He was also publicly accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife Danielle Nickerson, but was never charged.
For his fight in July 2020 against Mickey Gall, Perry had a lone corner person: his current girlfriend Latory Gonzalez, who has no MMA experience. Perry won that bout via unanimous decision.
The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports (ABC) medical advisory committee took aim at bare-knuckle fighting earlier this month, cautioning commissions about matchmaking and urging further medical requirements following the death of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton after he was knocked out in an August BKFC match.