Mike Perry re-signs with UFC after four years away and 7-0 BKFC run

Mike Perry is heading back to the UFC, officially re-signing with the promotion on Friday after more than four years away from the octagon.

Perry, 35, last competed in the UFC in April 2021, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Daniel Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 23. In the time since, he transformed himself into the defining star of bare-knuckle boxing, going 7-0 in BKFC and claiming the promotion’s “King of Violence” title. Along the way he defeated a string of UFC veterans, including Luke Rockhold, Michael Page, Eddie Alvarez, and Jeremy Stephens.

Perry made his return to MMA this year with two outings. In May, he headlined the Rousey vs. Carano card and stopped Nate Diaz via second-round corner stoppage TKO — arguably the most high-profile win of his career. His second appearance proved far less straightforward: drafted in on two days’ notice to face Brandon Jenkins at Duel Arena 1 in August after Dillon Danis withdrew, Perry was stopped in the first round following a serious shoulder injury.

Despite that setback, the UFC has moved to bring him back into the fold. In his original stint with the promotion, Perry posted a 7-8 record and earned four post-fight performance bonuses, building a reputation as one of the most entertaining and unpredictable fighters on the roster.

No opponent or date has been announced for Perry’s octagon return.