Bare Knuckle King Mike Perry Navigates Paradox of Success, Citing Scarcity of Elite Opponents Willing to Engage Bare-Knuckle

Mike Perry, the undisputed star of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), finds himself in a unique predicament where his unparalleled success within the promotion is simultaneously a blessing and a growing challenge. With a pristine 6-0 record since transitioning from mixed martial arts, Perry has not only become the most prominent figure on the BKFC roster but also one of its most formidable, commanding significant paydays that necessitate high-profile opponents capable of selling events of substantial magnitude. This dynamic, however, has begun to narrow the field of potential challengers, as many top-tier combatants, while perhaps willing to face Perry in other disciplines, appear reluctant to step into the bare-knuckle arena.

Perry’s journey to bare-knuckle stardom has seen him defeat a lineup of established names from the MMA world, including Michael "Venom" Page, former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, former UFC and Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez, and long-time UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens. These victories have cemented his reputation as a ferocious and skilled bare-knuckle practitioner, but according to Perry himself, the pool of willing and equally high-caliber opponents is dwindling, particularly when the no-gloves stipulation is introduced.

"There’s these guys that said that they won’t do it bare knuckle," Perry revealed in a recent interview with MMA Fighting. He elaborated on the specialized nature of the sport, asserting his distinct advantage. "To see someone tough enough, because I get pretty high level in there in a bare-knuckle fight. There’s things I know that you can tell other people don’t know. I mean that’s a tough question." This statement underscores Perry’s belief that bare-knuckle fighting demands a specific skillset and mental fortitude that few possess or are willing to cultivate.

Among the names Perry envisions for future matchups are several prominent figures from the mixed martial arts world. Nate Diaz, a UFC legend known for his durability and boxing acumen, and Jorge Masvidal, a former "BMF" title holder celebrated for his striking, both feature on Perry’s wish list. While both Diaz and Masvidal have informal bare-knuckle experience from street altercations, Perry suggests their professional inclination would lead them to "skip out on the bare-knuckle aspect" when it comes to a sanctioned bout. Another name frequently mentioned by Perry is Darren Till, a former UFC welterweight title challenger known for his striking prowess. However, unlike Diaz and Masvidal, Till lacks any documented professional bare-knuckle experience, which Perry points out as a significant differentiator.

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The appeal of these MMA stars lies in their established fan bases and reputations, promising significant viewership and revenue for BKFC events. Diaz, with his cult following and willingness to engage in high-stakes fights, presents an enticing crossover opportunity. Masvidal, similarly, has a history of high-profile matchups and a knack for generating buzz. Till, while not having the same level of informal bare-knuckle background as Diaz or Masvidal, has engaged in a long-running social media rivalry with Perry, which could be leveraged to build significant anticipation for a potential bare-knuckle clash. The core issue, however, remains the fundamental difference in the ruleset, which Perry believes acts as a deterrent for many.

Perry’s aspirations extend beyond the realm of MMA, venturing into the elite echelons of professional boxing. He listed several boxing champions as dream opponents, including undisputed welterweight king Terence "Bud" Crawford, undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, and former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. While acknowledging the significant weight disparity with Joshua, Perry’s inclusion of these names highlights his confidence in his bare-knuckle abilities against even the most skilled punchers globally.

A more accessible, albeit still speculative, boxing target for Perry is YouTube personality turned professional boxer Jake Paul. Perry articulated a specific scenario for a bare-knuckle encounter with Paul: "Jake Paul! To fight Jake Paul bare-knuckle after you beat me in boxing and we should do 195 [pounds] and I’m going to come in there like 189. That sounds close. I’ve got to be more lean, more fast and less weight on my body." This proposition not only outlines a potential weight class of 195 pounds, with Perry aiming for a leaner 189 pounds, but also suggests a two-part saga where a hypothetical boxing match would precede the bare-knuckle rematch. This demonstrates Perry’s strategic thinking in generating interest, even if the premise of him first losing to Paul in a boxing match is entirely hypothetical.

The ongoing rivalry and social media exchanges between Mike Perry and Darren Till have consistently fueled speculation about a potential fight. Till, whose professional combat sports background is rooted in mixed martial arts, was a formidable presence in the UFC’s welterweight and middleweight divisions, even challenging for the welterweight title. While Perry mistakenly stated Till was "building his own resume in the sport of boxing including a vicious knockout over Luke Rockhold in his most recent outing," it is important to clarify that Luke Rockhold was indeed knocked out by Mike Perry in a BKFC bout in April 2023. Darren Till’s last professional fight was an MMA bout against Dricus du Plessis in December 2022, which he lost. Till does not possess a professional boxing record. Despite this factual inaccuracy in Perry’s assessment of Till’s recent activities, the long-standing verbal sparring between the two fighters has created a narrative ripe for a crossover bout.

Perry views Till as a "big fight" and envisions a scenario where "a boxer and MMA fighter… finally comes over and does the bare knuckle" as an ideal return for him to the BKFC ring, potentially in 2026. Perry acknowledged the size difference between them, with Till typically competing at a higher weight class. "He’s a little bigger. We’ve got to figure out that weight class, what weight class is that at? 185 [pounds]? I’ll do that." Perry stated, expressing confidence in his ability to adapt. "I think I’ll have some angles there but I’ll put shots together on the way in, angles and I can hurt people bare-knuckle." This quote highlights Perry’s strategic approach to fighting larger opponents and his unwavering belief in the effectiveness of his bare-knuckle technique. However, the recurring theme of reluctance from potential opponents to fight bare-knuckle remains a significant hurdle in making such a marquee matchup a reality.

Despite the challenges in identifying a suitable next opponent, Perry maintains confidence in BKFC’s ability to eventually secure a high-profile challenger. The exact timing of his next fight remains uncertain, with BKFC President David Feldman reportedly indicating a later date for his return. "Mr. [David] Feldman told me it’s looking later," Perry confirmed. In the interim, Perry plans to focus on personal development and maintaining his visibility within the combat sports landscape. "I’ve just got to work on myself right now and I get to talk about the game. I get to stay in the polls, talking about combat sports, what’s to come."

Perry’s concluding remarks encapsulate the core issue facing the BKFC’s biggest star: "Bare-knuckle? They don’t want that. I’m about it in there with that shit. I wonder who it’s going to be." This statement underscores the unique allure and brutal reality of bare-knuckle fighting, a discipline Perry has mastered, but one that continues to deter many of the sport’s biggest names from engaging with "Platinum" Mike Perry. As 2026 approaches, the combat sports world awaits to see which elite fighter, if any, will dare to meet Perry on his terms.