Michael Joseph Perry, born on September 15, 1991, is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer. Currently competing in the Middleweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), he is the current "King of Violence" champion. Having competed in MMA, Boxing and Bare knuckle fighting, he knows the world of combat sports in and out. Perry also competed 15 times in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Early Life and Background
Perry was born in Flint, Michigan, on September 15, 1991. For much of his life, he moved around to different schools between Michigan and Florida. He said, "[In Michigan], I was one of maybe 10 white kids in the whole school, so I was bullied a lot. It was the same thing at other schools. I wouldn’t back down, so I would get into fights." This instability led him to a path of drugs, house arrest, probation violation, and jail.
Perry started training boxing at age 11. Upon his release from jail for burglary, he got a job as a trainer at a UFC gym in Winter Springs, Florida.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Perry made his professional debut in September 2014, after completing 11 amateur fights with a record of 8-3. He competed for several regional promotions across the United States.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
In UFC, he’s fought a list of top names like Mickey Gall, Paul Felder and Donald Cerrone just to name a few.
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During the fight against Lim, Perry's cornerman and fellow fighter Alex Nicholson shouted during the pre-fight introductions, "He can't even open his motherfucking eyes." Nicholson was accused of racism for this, as Lim is Korean.
Perry was expected to face Thiago Alves on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116.
Perry faced Santiago Ponzinibbio on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox: Lawler vs.
Perry faced Max Griffin on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Emmett vs.
Perry was expected to face Yancy Medeiros on July 7, 2018, at UFC 226. However, Medeiros pulled out of the fight on June 27, citing a rib injury.
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After the fight with Cerrone, Perry signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC and faced Alex Oliveira on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson. He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.
Perry faced Mickey Gall on June 27, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Poirier vs.
Perry was expected to face Robbie Lawler on November 21, 2020, at UFC 255. However, Lawler pulled out of the fight in late October, citing an undisclosed injury. Perry instead faced Tim Means at the same event.
At the weigh-ins on November 20, Perry missed weight, weighing in at 175.5 pounds, over the non-title welterweight limit of 171.0 pounds.
Here is a table summarizing some of Mike Perry's key UFC fights:
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| Date | Event | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| UFC on ABC 2 | Vettori vs. | |
| UFC 255 | Figueiredo vs. | |
| UFC on ESPN 12 | Poirier vs. | |
| UFC 245 | Usman vs. | |
| UFC Fight Night 156 | Shevchenko vs. | |
| UFC Fight Night 139 | Korean Zombie vs. | |
| UFC 226 | Miocic vs. | |
| UFC on Fox 28 | Emmett vs. | |
| UFC on Fox 26 | Lawler vs. | |
| UFC Fight Night 116 | Rockhold vs. | |
| UFC Fight Night 108 | Swanson vs. | |
| UFC on Fox 22 | VanZant vs. | |
| UFC 204 | Bisping vs. | |
| UFC 202 | Diaz vs. | |
| Battleground | Perry vs. |
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
But it is his performance in bare knuckle fighting that has earned him the reputation of one of the most dangerous people on the planet.
On November 27, 2021, Perry faced boxer Michael Seals in a boxing vs MMA card promoted by Triller that featured other UFC veterans, with fighters wearing MMA gloves instead of traditional boxing gloves.
Known for his high intensity both in and out of the ring, the promos leading up to each of his fights are always a thing to behold. Whatever he does, Mike Perry is always in the spotlight. He is colorful, interesting and mesmerizing to watch. But above all else, he is a true fighter to the bone.
It was reported on June 11, 2024 that Perry was scheduled to face Jake Paul in a professional boxing bout on July 20, 2024 after Mike Tyson, the original opponent of Jake Paul, had to postpone the fight.
On June 18, 2024 the Jake Paul vs. Perry
Mike Perry vs. Jeremy Stephens | BKFC 82 Fight Highlights
Personal Life and Controversies
Perry married professional tennis player Danielle Nickerson in 2019, after five years of dating.
On New Year's Eve 2016, Perry was involved in an altercation in Orlando, Florida.
In July 2020, Perry was questioned by police due to an incident at a restaurant in Lubbock, Texas, where three people were allegedly assaulted. Part of the incident was filmed, showing an elderly man and Perry in a heated dispute. The man lunged towards Perry, and Perry threw a right-hand punch. The man was unconscious when police arrived on the scene and he was hospitalized. Perry was charged with class A assault, a misdemeanor.
Nickerson claimed that in February 2020, Perry became angry after an altercation with a woman at a bar. Once the couple returned home, Perry took his frustrations out on Nickerson by taking her to the ground and hitting her with a barrage of punches that bruised her face. After the incident Nickerson was picked up by Perry's mother, Sabra Young, and taken to Young's home. When Perry followed Nickerson to the Young residence, Young locked him out of the house and called 911.
Nickerson also alleged that during a prior incident, Perry struck her in the forehead while wearing his wedding ring, leaving a hematoma. Nickerson said that the abuse grew so severe that she filed for a restraining order against Perry after the dissolution of their romantic relationship.
Awards and Achievements
- Performance of the Night (Two times) vs.
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs.
- 2017: Half-Year Awards: Best Knockout of the 1HY[107] & Ranked #2 Knockout of the Year[108] vs.
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs.