It’s been eight months since former UFC fighter-turned bareknuckle boxer, Mike Perry, last competed in combat sports. His most recent bout ended with a stoppage loss to Jake Paul in a boxing match at “Fear No Man” in Tampa, Fla., back in July 2024.
“Platinum” is eager to return to action, whether in BKFC or his own combat sports promotion, Dirty Boxing. And if plans align, he might not have to wait much longer.
Former Bellator MM fighter, Dillon Danis — deemed “too controversial” for UFC — was set to box KSI this weekend; however, the fight fell through (details here). According to Perry, Misfits Boxing wants to pair him versus Danis — a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt — in a Misfits MMA match instead.
“It looks like I might be getting a last-minute call, which I said ‘yes’ to,” Perry told Ariel Helwani today. “KSI is out. Dillon Danis wants to fight MMA. I’m saying ‘yes,’ but we gotta see what they’ve got going on at Misfits. So, I said ‘yes,’ but they’ve got to come correct because it’s a last-minute call.
“Danis is going to grab my foot, and I’m going to soccer kick him in the face, for sure — Pride rules, baby!” Perry added. “I’ll just stop those takedowns. He’s gonna have to pull guard, and I’ve got some ground and pound, too. Let’s do it.”
The situation remains fluid as Danis is already booked for a high-profile fight against Tony Ferguson in May with the new Global Fight League (GFL), casting doubt on which matchup will proceed.
For what it’s worth, Danis has not competed in MMA since 2019.
Danis isn’t Perry’s only option, though. Darren Till — a long-time rival who’s also shifted to boxing — fired back today after Perry claimed Till rejected a $2 million BKFC purse.
I never said no my friend… I said let’s do one boxing fight and let’s do one bareknuckle fight…You and ur manager never came back to me and my management so it’s on you…If you want to fight I am here…You are more interested in being a promoter right now whereas I am… https://t.co/LEp1itCIKg
— DT (@darrentill2) March 31, 2025
“I never said no, my friend,” Till wrote on social media. “I said let’s do one boxing fight and one bare-knuckle fight. You and your manager never came back to me and my management, so it’s on you. If you want to fight, I am here.
“You’re more interested in being a promoter right now, whereas I’m training every day, no distractions, and struggling to get opponents,” Till added. “KSI doesn’t answer the phone. Tommy Fury doesn’t answer the phone. Jake Paul, same thing. So, if you really want the fight that’s destined to happen, get your manager to contact Misfits, and we can make this happen as a co-promotion.
“Sound fair?” Till concluded. “@PlatinumPerry, big dummy.”
A Perry-Till matchup has been rumored for several years, but for whatever reason, it hasn’t materialized.
Maybe it will now?
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