Mike Perry has dominated the bare-knuckle boxing scene with a 5-0 record, leaving him with few potential opponents, but BKFC president David Feldman promises big things are in the works, including potential fights with UFC legends.
Mike Perry’s been on a tear in bare-knuckle boxing. His BKFC record? A solid 5-0, with three straight knockout victories.
But, there’s a catch. No real competition in sight.
Perry’s latest win? A 60-second takedown of UFC veteran and former BKFC champ, Thiago Alves, at BKFC KnuckleMania 4. That’s after he flattened ex-UFC champs Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez in consecutive fights.
Perry’s bare-knuckle fighting stock? Skyrocketing. But, his options for opponents? Dwindling. BKFC president David Feldman, however, hints at something big brewing.
Feldman’s words: “I can put him in with the championship, and I want to — and if he wants to, I’m going to do that. We owe it to our champion [David Mundell] and Mike Perry. But, I need to give him someone that people care about. Someone they’re really invested in. He’s kind of a superstar now. I have two or three names people will definitely talk about.”
Feldman’s keeping mum on specifics. But, he assures the potential opponents are big names in combat sports.
Feldman’s hint? “They’re UFC legends.”
The fighters Feldman’s eyeing aren’t under UFC contract. So, no conflict crossing over into bare-knuckle boxing.
Other options? Perry’s shown interest in returning to MMA or trying a boxing match while waiting for the right BKFC opponent.
One possibility? Two-time Bellator veteran and grappling guru Dillon Danis. Perry’s game for it, but doubts Danis would ever fight him in bare-knuckle. Hence, a return to MMA is still on the table.
Feldman’s not sure if that’ll happen, given Danis’ history of vanishing before events.
Feldman on Perry’s MMA return: “We’ll probably be associated with it if it happens. If it happens, good. We’ll help with the promotion and then he’ll come back over [to BKFC]. But, the guy he’s going to fight [Danis], sometimes he signs the contract and shows up and sometimes he doesn’t. We’ll see.”
Danis trying bare-knuckle? Feldman’s not too keen.
Feldman on Danis: “In MMA, it’s different. He’s one of the best jiu-jitsu guys in the world. MMA makes more sense for him. But if he’s willing to take the gloves off, and stand up and throw it down, we can definitely talk about that. We did. It just didn’t go anywhere.”
Perry’s return timeline? Feldman’s still working out the details. But, he’s hoping for a late summer or early fall comeback.
Feldman’s plan: “I want to bring him back, depending on what he does with this possible MMA fight, but I want to bring him back in September.”