Michael “Venom” Page and “Platinum” Mike Perry may have sparked an entertaining rivalry no one saw coming.
This past Saturday, BKFC took its show across the pond for a marquee matchup between former Bellator title challenger [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] and UFC veteran [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag].
As typical of most bareknuckle fights, both men were bloody and swollen in the end. Beyond the surface damage on their faces, the contest at OVO Arena Wembley in London was competitive and entertaining. The back-and-forth bout required an extra round of action after a winner could not be determined after the scheduled five rounds. Ultimately, Perry got his hand raised after the sixth round, winning by majority decision.
Almost immediately, both men were on board for a rematch, as long as the promotions can figure it out considering Page’s obligations to Bellator. But should the rematch take place in bareknuckle or in MMA?
Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Nolan King, Danny Segura and Brian “Goze” Garcia answered that question with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia. You can watch their discussion in the video above or check out this week’s full episode below.
[autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag]’s introduction to the bareknuckle boxing world was as advertised.
The former UFC star made his debut for BKFC earlier this year at KnuckleMania 2 against TUF standout Julian Lane. It was an action-packed fight that had both fighters battered at the end of the contest. In the end, Perry won by unanimous decision.
Above, you can relive Perry’s debut for BKFC.
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Perry is set to return to the ring this Saturday in the main event of BKFC 27 in London. He welcomes Bellator star Michael Page to the bareknuckle boxing world.
Perry was last seen in action when he defeated Lane back in February. Perry is most famous for his stint in the UFC where he competed from 2016 to 2021, fighting notables such as Donald Cerrone, Vicente Luque, Paul Felder, and others.
Meanwhile, MVP is coming off a split decision loss to Logan Storley in an interim title fight at Bellator 281. The defeat snapped a six-fight winning streak for the 35-year-old. The bout against Perry marks Page’s first fight in bareknuckle boxing.
Check out video and photos from the BKFC 27 weigh-ins in London.
LONDON – The stage is set for BKFC 27 to take place on Saturday following the completion of the event’s weigh-ins and final fighter faceoffs.
The event takes place at OVO Arena Wembley on Saturday, and features a headliner between former UFC star [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] and former Bellator title challenger [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag].
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You can check out video of the full fight card weigh-in highlights above, and take a look at photos from the final pre-fight event in the gallery below.
Check out these photos from the BKFC 27 weigh-ins in London.
Check out these photos from the ceremonial weigh-ins for BKFC 27 in London, which features a main event bout between Michael Page and Mike Perry. (Photos courtesy of BKFC)
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh talks to offensive line Ben Bredeson at a timeout during the second half against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018.
Jim Harbaugh, Ben Bredeson
Michigan’s Ben Bredeson celebrates the Wolverines’ 40-21 win over Middle Tennessee State at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Saturday, August 31, 2019.
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Sep 21, 2019; Madison, WI, USA; Michigan Wolverines offensive lineman Ben Bredeson (74) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 07: Defensive lineman Broderick Washington Jr. #96 and defensive lineman Eli Howard V #53 of Texas Tech celebrate a tackle by Washington Jr. during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the UTEP Miners at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – OCTOBER 05: Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders holds up the ball after recovering a fumble during the first half of the college football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 05, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 23: Defensive tackle Broderick Washington Jr. #96 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders chases after quarterback Skylar Thompson #10 of the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half of the college football game on November 23, 2019 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Nov 10, 2018; Lubbock, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger (11) is sacked by Texas Tech Red Raiders defensive lineman Broderick Washington Jr. (96) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Temple defensive back Harrison Hand (DB14) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-425810 ORIG FILE ID: 20200228_jla_br2_008.jpg
LONDON – [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] smells nerves in his upcoming opponent, Mike Perry.
The former Bellator title challenger believes Perry is feeling the pressure of their main event bout ahead of their clash on Saturday at BKFC 27. Page, who’s making his debut in bare-knuckle boxing, thinks that a big part of it is because Perry has been a long-time fan of his.
“I think a lot of times it’s a massive show of nerves,” Page told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “And I think it’s a massive show of nerves because he is a fan of me. I’ve seen that from the first time I met him because he’s known about me for a very long time.
“He’s actually called me out, which I found out recently. He’s called me out before he went into the UFC. I’ve obviously been a highlight in his career for a long time, where I just heard of him. I’ve seen him because moreso from his personality than his actual fighting. And of course, I went and watched his fighting – typical tough guy, but great personality here.”
Ultimately, Page believes he will be able to quickly alter Perry’s plan of attack once the action begins.
“He’s going to come forward and fight until they feel what I’m like in there, until they get frustrated, until they get hit with certain shots they didn’t think I would be able to land, then it changes,” Page said. “His personality will change.”
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Page is still under contract with Bellator. This bout in bareknuckle boxing is a one-off for the time being, but he’s not ruling out a return to the ring in the future.
“As we speak right now, it’s a one-off,” Page said. “The fact that they’ve positioned themselves, it makes it easier to start later on if there is an opportunity that comes up. It’s going to be easier to come cross back over.
“But it’s not just me, I have to speak to Bellator again. The powers that be may not be happy with it if it’s too close to a fight or this and that. So those are things, but they’ve positioned themselves now so that it makes it easier to keep bouncing through. But for now, one-off fight and back to MMA.”
Check out these photos from the BKFC 27 pre-fight press conference in London.
Check out these photos from the BKFC 27 pre-fight press conference in London. (Photos courtesy of BKFC)
Nov 23, 2019; Stanford, CA, USA; California Golden Bears safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) intercepts the football at the goal line against California Golden Bears quarterback Spencer Brasch (13) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
November 9, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears safety Trey Turner III (5) and safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) celebrate after a defensive stop against the Washington State Cougars during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2019; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears safety Jaylinn Hawkins (6) forces a fumble by North Texas Mean Green quarterback Mason Fine (6) during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins (TE06) speaks to the media during the 2020 NFL Combine in the Indianapolis Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Purdue tight end Brycen Hopkins (89) warms up prior to the start of a NCAA football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana University Hoosiers, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
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Paige VanZant’s has a name for her return at BKFC 27 in London.
[autotag]Paige VanZant[/autotag]’s opponent for her return to the ring has been revealed.
The former UFC contender now turned bareknuckle boxer is set to take on [autotag]Charisa Sigala[/autotag] at BKFC 27 in London on Aug. 20. The news was confirmed by MMA Junkie on Friday, following an initial report by MMA Fighting.
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This bout marks VanZant’s first fight of 2022. The last time the 28-year-old was seen in action was in July 2021 when she lost a unanimous decision to Rachael Ostovich in the main event of BKFC 29. VanZant is 0-2 in bareknuckle boxing.
VanZant is mainly known for her stint in the UFC where she competed for six years. She fought 11 times under the UFC banner, compiling a record of 6-5.
Meanwhile, Sigala is also a former MMA fighter turned bareknuckle boxer. The 38-year-old fought in MMA from 2015 to 2020, going 4-2. She’s 1-2-1 in bareknuckle boxing. Sigala last competed in March, fighting Angela Danzig to a draw.
Check out these photos from the BKFC 27 pre-fight press conference and face off between Mike Perry and Michael Page.
Check out these photos from the pre-fight press conference for BKFC 27, which is headlined by Mike Perry vs. Michael Page, and takes place at Wembley Arena in London on Aug. 20. (Photos courtesy of BKFC)
Watch Michael Page and Mike Perry face off for the first time ahead of their fight at BKFC 27.
[autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] and [autotag]Mike Perry[/autotag] got their first faceoff in ahead of their bareknuckle boxing clash.
The two MMA stars faced off for the very first time on Tuesday afternoon in front of Buckingham Palace. This middleweight bout is scheduled to headline BKFC 27, which takes place on Aug. 20 in London.
Below you can watch their staredown.
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Page, 35, remains under contract with Bellator, a promotion official informed MMA Junkie. Bellator is allowing him to take the fight outside of the organization.
Page has no prior experience in bare-knuckle boxing. Outside of MMA, Page has competed twice in professional boxing and once in kickboxing, winning all three bouts.
Perry is coming off his bare-knuckle boxing debut this past February when he defeated Julian Lane by unanimous decision at “BKFC: KnuckleMania 2.” Perry is most famous for his stint in the UFC where he competed from 2016 to 2021, fighting notables such as Donald Cerrone, Vicente Luque, Paul Felder, and others.
