Mike Perry Leaves BKFC, Commits to MMA Comeback

Mike Perry is leaving Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship behind and committing to a full-time return to MMA for at least the next two years.

Perry confirmed the move himself, telling Yahoo Sports he's closing the book on his bare-knuckle run and shifting his focus back to fighting with gloves on. "It's good to get that out. I kind of had some feelings about it," Perry said. "It's like the 'BK cheat code,' man. That bare-knuckle stuff is like a cheat code, I guess. Those two-minute rounds, I was good at it. It was fun. I made some noise doing it, and I'm ready for another challenge. So, I think MMA is in my foreseeable future, and I'm going to give it my best shot."

The announcement comes after BKFC president David Feldman had recently suggested Perry was eyeing a new opportunity, even though the two sides were still in communication. Perry's own comments now make it official: the bare-knuckle chapter of his career is done, at least for now.

Why Perry Is Walking Away From BKFC

Perry became the face of BKFC after leaving the UFC in 2021, turning bare-knuckle boxing into the signature phase of his career and helping grow the promotion's profile along the way. By his own account, the format suited him. He described the two-minute rounds as something close to a cheat code for his style, and said the run gave him a platform to "make some noise." But Perry made clear he sees this as a closed chapter rather than a pause, framing MMA as the next and possibly final test of his career.

What It Means for Perry's MMA Future

Perry says he's locked into MMA for the next two years, which signals this isn't a one-off crossover fight but a genuine return to the sport that built his name in the UFC. No opponent or promotion has been named for his next fight, so there's nothing concrete yet for oddsmakers to price. What matters for bettors watching this space is Perry's style translating back to gloved competition after an extended run in a different rule set. Bare-knuckle's shorter rounds and different fatigue patterns reward a different pace than a standard MMA fight, and how Perry adjusts will shape how the betting markets view him once a bout is actually booked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mike Perry leaving BKFC?

Yes, Mike Perry confirmed he is moving on from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship to focus full time on MMA for at least the next two years.

Will Mike Perry fight in the UFC again?

No opponent or promotion has been announced yet for Mike Perry's MMA return, only that he plans to compete in MMA for the foreseeable future.

Why did Mike Perry leave BKFC?

Mike Perry said he's ready for a new challenge after a successful bare-knuckle run and wants to finish his career fighting in MMA with gloves on.