UFC veteran Mike Perry has signed a new multi-fight contract with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which is rumored to be worth figures in the high seven figures, making it far more lucrative than the deals he would receive from UFC or other organizations.
Mike Perry, a UFC veteran, was a hot prospect for various organizations as a free agent. However, the bare-knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), who he had won his first three fights with, was not willing to let him go. Ultimately, Perry decided to renew his contract with BKFC, affirming that it was an easy decision to make once they made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Arguably becoming the face of the bare-knuckle promotion, Perry spoke highly of his experience and the new challenges that it presented.
His new deal with BKFC is a lucrative multi-fight contract. The compensation he will receive from BKFC is in the high seven figures, vastly outshining his previous earnings throughout his career, including his nearly five-year stint with the UFC. The guaranteed money on the table now leaves Perry eagerly anticipating the lineup of high-profile contenders that BKFC has in store for him, after already recording wins against Luke Rockhold and former Bellator welterweight contender, Michael Page. Unafraid to disclose the details of his contract, Perry claimed, “I have to say they put about $8 million on contract… I’m ready to make this money.”
In a separate interview with The MMA Hour, Perry weighed in on the possibility of returning to the UFC, quickly dismissing the idea due to the significant pay cut it would entail. He admitted earning far more competing in BKFC than he would if he returned to the UFC. Despite his enthusiasm for his new contract, Perry stressed that both bare-knuckle fighting and MMA still had a long way to go in matching the substantial paydays of boxing. Among other things, he pointed out that even with a contract as rewarding as his, his earnings cannot compare to the likes of Alvarez, Floyd Mayweather, and Conor McGregor.
One of the appealing aspects of the BKFC contract for Perry was the freedom it allowed him to pursue other interests. This included the opportunity to be a backup for the boxing match between Logan Paul and Dillon Danis in October. According to Perry, such freedom would not have been possible with other promotions. He stated, “Even with BKFC, one of the good perks is I could take a fight like this Logan Paul fight that I might get last minute… it’s just an extra paycheck.” If the Paul match doesn’t materialize in October, Perry is anticipating his next bare-knuckle fight to take place before the end of 2023 and is prepared to prove his worth to BKFC with his new contract.