Mike Perry tests skills with Luke Rockhold at BKFC 41: Perry vs. Rockhold on April 29th in the promotion’s return to Denver.
The fistic fireworks broadcast on the BKFC TV App and Fite TV with the main card kicking off at 9 PM Eastern time. The surging BKFC welterweight moves up to 185 pounds as Perry aims to dispatch a two-promotion champion in that weight category (across UFC and Strikeforce) in Luke Rockhold.
Mike Perry spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News to touch on emerging from past controversies to become BKFC’s top star, facing his biggest opponent who also happens to be a former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion, plus a whole lot more. Excerpts from the chat can be found below.
Mike Perry
Meet the new Mike Perry
“Well understand that, the entertainment business. Yes, we like to make jokes but as I’ve gotten older and I’ve been winning fights, I honestly feel like looking back on my career a lot of the issues were, I was kind of digging my own grave sometimes when I opened my mouth. I’m very careful about what I say now and I choose my jokes carefully. I want them to be factual. Want them to be true and honest. Luke is a bigger opponent than I’ve ever faced. He’s a larger man, much heavier weight class than I’m used to.”
“I’m looking to be sharp and go up. Be strong as normal. I guess I need to be stronger than normal but obviously, I want to entertain and be fun. As this month goes on, my life goes on this month and I will find ways to just be myself. Be honest and truthful, that some of that could be funny. Right now it’s not really a funny time for me (in lieu of his close friend and training partner Michael Milmerstadt passing away). Like you brought up, my daughter. When I had my son, things changed.”
BKFC
Why is the sport of bare-knuckle tailor-made for you?
“I really got into gear and fixed some things in fighting. Fighting kind of fixed some things for me. It brought me a sport that I was really better at. I really love to fight with the hands. I love to throw hands, I love to box. We’re skipping all the gloves and going straight to the blood and guts with bare-knuckle, you know. I just love mono e mono, hand to hand. I’ve had a great chin my entire career. Hoping I still do and I want to remain vigilant and tough.”
“I know tough means taking a beating sometimes to give one back and that’s not always the best. I want to be smart as well. I try to hold onto what intelligence I do have. I do believe in fighting guys like to make CTE jokes or whatever. But I like to say I’ve gotten some sense knocked into me. I just think that’s so true (laughs). When I get blasted sometimes, I get smarter. I get better in the fight. I make adjustments and I adapt. With my daughter being born now, it’s like it’s crazy.”
Mike Perry continues, “Because when I saw my son, there was this change in me. When I was having my daughter I was like, I don’t know how this is going to be different. I already have a baby that’s counting on me. But when I saw my daughter, I can’t explain it. There’s just this different energy that added to the energy I already have. So I feel very confident in my abilities when it comes to fighting. I just, I think I’m really good at fighting.”
BKFC 41
In mentioning some of those past controversies for lack of a better way to phrase it, how gratifying is it to see your present status right now? Because it seems like you’re the face of BKFC… In the context of that journey we’re talking about, how gratifying is this present spot you’re in?
“Well, it was very nice to hear you say it that way, how you worded it. I’m glad that people are taking notice of my success. I may joke around, life is to have fun. That’s the best way to live life is to be happy and try to have fun. I’ve been enjoying my success and I try to keep myself in a winning mindset. Through this hard time right now, I do really small things. Like I mess with numbers or if I do something, I’m kind of OCD. I’m like I have to do it this many times just to feel like it’s the right number of times.”
“So that I feel like I’m still in my winning mindset. Then things start happening in those numbers. Recently I just kind of was losing grip on that winning mindset because I would rather just do the right thing. Even if it’s wrong for a winning mindset or if you’re going to get beat up. Because there’s other things in life than winning and losing or fighting. Life itself is more precious.”
Mike Perry continues, “But I still have this fight. I’m still in danger and I still have to stay on top of myself to be in a successful winning mindset. I have this month to really hone that in. Really focus it, train, and work on still being great and trying to speak properly. I think that’s a big part of it too. I try to not sound like a complete idiot or douchebag.”
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
What is the approach and mindset you have for this Rockhold bout?
“I only know how to fight one way, that’s my way. That’s the way I’ve always done it. It’s platinum pressure. I plan to do that and be true to myself. Honor the game and touch gloves or, you know, knuckles. I’m grateful to have a very powerful opponent in an ex-world champion in Luke Rockhold. It’s all respect and sport and technique. I have a game plan for how to work this in a very smart manner. For how to fight smart and how to win. I still will be aggressive, that’s definitely a way to win.”
