His decision to exit the organization comes as a surprise to many within the combat sports community, particularly given how seamlessly his aggressive, knockout-heavy fighting style translated to the bare-knuckle arena. BKFC served as the ideal vehicle to transform Perry from a well-known veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship into an absolute superstar. Yet, despite the mutually beneficial relationship that revitalized his combat sports career, both sides have mutually agreed to part ways as Perry prepares for his next chapter in MMA.
Addressing the departure, BKFC founder and president David Feldman has made it clear that there are no hard feelings between the promotion and its former poster boy. Feldman harbors zero resentment toward Perry, acknowledging that the fighter received an opportunity—and a financial package—that simply proved too lucrative to pass up.
Speaking with MMA Fighting regarding the high-profile split, Feldman shed light on the economic realities of modern combat sports promotion and the reasoning behind letting their biggest star walk away. "I think he got a great offer he couldn’t refuse, or that’s what I was told, he got a great offer he couldn’t refuse," Feldman said. "Look, this isn’t talking bad about Mike Perry. He did a lot of great stuff for our company, but we know that homegrown talent is doing it now. We sold 14,000 tickets at Fenway Park without any big names on there. We intend to sell 18,000 tickets in Philadelphia without any huge names on there, and we intend to do the same thing in Miami for KnuckleMania VII. I’m not going to say we don’t need him, but the money that it costs to bring Mike Perry back to BKFC doesn’t make a lot of sense for us right now. That’s how I’m trying to say it is."
Feldman emphasized that throughout the transition, professionalism has remained at the forefront. He noted that while he had not personally listened to Perry’s latest interview announcing the move, he is confident that no bridges have been burned. According to the BKFC president, Perry owes a debt of gratitude to the organization for breathing new life into his professional combat sports journey, just as the promotion appreciates the star power Perry brought to the brand during its crucial growth phase.
"I wish him the best. I didn’t listen to that interview, but I don’t think he said anything bad about us. I don’t think he has anything bad to say about us. I think we revitalized his career," Feldman stated. "Now he has a chance of doing something in MMA he wants to do. From what I heard, he got an unbelievable offer and that should be announced pretty soon."
Despite closing this chapter, the door has not been permanently shut on a potential future reunion. Feldman left the possibility open for Perry to return to the BKFC ring down the line, whether that stems from a desire to return to bare-knuckle combat or if his upcoming MMA venture encounters unforeseen hurdles. For now, however, the organization’s strategic vision is moving in a different direction, prioritizing internal growth and the cultivation of homegrown fighters over high-priced external acquisitions.
"If he didn’t receive that offer, there is a chance of him coming back here," Feldman explained. "There was no problem with the organization. It’s just a matter of the direction that he’s going now and the direction that the company is going in now. Unless it’s an unbelievably huge name, I want to focus on building guys from the ground up. I’m putting my time, effort, and money into building these guys because they’re proving now that they can carry the company."
Even with this shift in promotional philosophy, Feldman admits that a tinge of professional regret remains regarding one specific matchup that the organization ultimately failed to materialize. For months and years, fans and executives alike dreamed of booking a blockbuster clash between Perry and former UFC star Darren Till—a marquee pairing that generated immense fan interest but never made it across the finish line. Feldman acknowledges that while the fight would have been an incredible spectacle, the promotion is ready to move forward with its existing roster and alternative matchups.
"We would love that fight," Feldman said regarding the elusive pairing with Till. "That would be a great fight for us. But if we don’t get that fight, there’s other fights out there for these guys. Like I said again, I wish him the best and he’s going to go out and make some really good money."
Reflecting on the entirety of Perry’s tenure with the company, Feldman expressed genuine pride in what they achieved together. The collaboration elevated BKFC’s profile in the mainstream media and established Perry as a terrifying force outside of traditional gloved combat. As Perry prepares to embark on this new journey back to full-time mixed martial arts competition, Feldman maintains that the business decisions were made with strict financial discipline in mind, ensuring the long-term health and sustainability of the promotion without overextending resources on a single athlete.
"No animosity at all," Feldman concluded, summarizing his feelings on the departure. "If he’s getting a life-changing offer, like I said, then it is what it is. At the end of the day, I’ve got to protect the company, but at the same time, I’m not going to overpay for something I don’t think we’re going to get a return on investment on."
