Mike Perry

Mike Perry (born September 15, 1991) is an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, currently competing in the middleweight division in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

Perry also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 15 times.

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.

His work as a trainer led to his career as a fighter.

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.

In just under two years, he fought nine times while finishing all of his opponents via Knockout/Technical Knockout.

Perry made his UFC debut on short notice against Lim Hyun-gyu on August 20, 2016, at UFC 202, after Sultan Aliev pulled out due to injury.

At the official weigh-ins, Perry faked a handshake with Lim then put his hands up yelling to Lim, "You thought you had a friend, boy!"

before screaming at his opponent.

He defeated Lim via TKO in the first round after Perry dropped him twice with right hands, dropped him again with a left hook and then followed up with ground and pound before the referee jumped in to stop the fight.

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.

Nicholson later addressed the comment on Twitter, saying, "I respect every man who steps in the cage and my comments were insensitive towards Lim I was hype for my brother but It's all love no hate."

On the Monday following the fight Perry said on The MMA Hour, "I don't think any of my competition can see me, and when I hit Lim, I opened a lot of people's eyes."

Perry faced Danny Roberts on October 8, 2016, at UFC 204.

At the official weigh-ins, Perry took a bite from a bar of chocolate and then told Roberts he was going to eat him alive.

He defeated Roberts via KO late in the third round after Perry hurt him with a knee from the clinch, dropped him with a right hand and then followed up with ground and pound before the referee jumped in to stop the fight.

The referee Marc Goddard appeared to stop the fight late, issuing an apology after the event via Twitter.

Perry faced Alan Jouban, on December 17, 2016, at UFC on Fox 22.

At the official weigh-ins, Perry took a polaroid photo of Jouban and then tried to hand the photo to him as they traded words, but Jouban slapped it away with his hand and Perry aggressively feigned movement towards him while sticking his tongue out.

He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Perry faced Jake Ellenberger on April 22, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 108.

He defeated Ellenberger via KO in the second round after Perry dropped him with a left hook early in round two then finished with a standing elbow from the clinch 30 seconds later.

Perry was awarded a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

Perry was expected to face Thiago Alves on September 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 116.

Alves was pulled from the event and was replaced by promotional newcomer Alex Reyes.

Perry won the fight via knockout in the first round.

The win also earned Perry his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Perry faced Santiago Ponzinibbio on December 16, 2017, at UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos.

He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Perry faced Max Griffin on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens.

He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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.