Former UFC and Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold made his bareknuckle debut Saturday at BKFC 41, paired up with the always game, not to mention colorful, Mike Perry.
Case in point, Perry suggesting he would headbutt Rockhold’s hands to break them in the bout. And a fake choking between the two during weigh-ins. Colorful.
Whether the antics were legit or not, there was little question that the PPV main event would be a heated affair. And it most certainly started out hot, though the fight finished in bizarre fashion.
Rockhold stayed on the outside early, with Perry closing the distance and clinching up. Rockhold would land a left at range when they got back underway, with Perry walking forward, trying to punch his way inside. Just as the action was getting going, however, a Perry low blow halted the affair. After about 30 seconds, Rockhold was good to go; a heavy clinch followed. Moments later, Rockhold wobbled Perry with a left! Rockhold pressed, but couldn’t finish “Platinum.” Moments later, Perry would clip Rockhold; that led to an exchange of fire with both men hurting the other.
Luke Rockhold and Mike Perry trade big shots at the end of Round 1 😱 #BKFC41
(via @FiteTV) pic.twitter.com/Y5YnECj3ul
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) April 30, 2023
Round two opened with a Rockhold jab answered by a Perry combo. Mike Perry was showing Rockhold no respect, closing the distance and eating shots to do it. Rockhold slipped, but the pair went right back at it. After both men landed, Rockhold appeared to complain about a low blow. The ref didn’t see it, and let the action continue. After eating a few more shots, Rockhold clinched up, landing a body shot. Rockhold then appeared to disengage, and was told by the ref to keep his hands up. Instead, Rockhold pointed to his mouthpiece, and ref Dan Miragliotta suddenly waved it off! Perry had the win as a result, as Rockhold appeared to indicate some sort of issue that wouldn’t allow him to continue. Possibly damaged teeth, given the blood spilling from his mouth.
Following the main event, Conor McGregor was brought into the cage at Perry’s request for a face-off, though that was all for show — McGregor after all being under contract to the UFC. Perry also called for a fight with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who was in the crowd, asking Cerrone to “give my arm back” in reference to Cerrone’s submission win over Perry in the UFC. Cowboy being retired, that fight isn’t likely either, but Perry is quickly becoming BKFC’s biggest star.
Mike Perry calls out Conor McGregor for a face-off and @TheNotoriousMMA accepts. He enters the ring with the BKFC title over his shoulder.#BKFC41 | LIVE on #FITE pic.twitter.com/DoCw7OZTZP
— FITE (@FiteTV) April 30, 2023
Official Result: Mike Perry def. Luke Rockhold by TKO (retirement), Round 2, 1:15
