On Saturday, July 20, 2024, the highly anticipated boxing match between Mike Perry, also known as “King of Violence,” and Jake Paul, nicknamed “Problem Child,” will take place at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. The event is organized by Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) and will consist of eight rounds.
In 2021, Perry departed the UFC amidst a detrimental and undisciplined downfall. He faced financial troubles due to unpaid taxes and lacked a clear path for his future. However, Perry’s fortune took a turn for the better when he ventured into bare knuckle boxing, adapting effortlessly and swiftly climbing the ladder of success. Transitioning from an underground fan favorite to a bona fide star, Perry has remained undefeated (6-0) since his departure from the UFC. It is evident that Perry has truly found his stride and reached the pinnacle of his career.
Perry is now back in boxing gloves after a hiatus since 2015. Despite facing a significant size disadvantage and losing his usual advantage of bare knuckles, Perry can always be relied upon to bring the fight.
Now, we will examine Perry’s boxing skill more closely.
Boxing
Although Perry is known for his aggressive nature, it is important to note that he also possesses a strategic approach and exhibits good form in his boxing matches outside of the UFC. This review will solely focus on Perry’s performance in the BKFC and Triad Combat fights.
His performance against Paul is best understood through those matches.
Perry desires to be in the pocket, regardless of any height or reach discrepancies. This is evident from his ability to close the distance between himself and opponents like Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold, despite their significant size differences. Moreover, Perry showcases decent head movement once he finds himself in close proximity.
Perry is known for walking through shots, and that reputation comes from his inability to close the distance with movement. As he marches forward, Perry does not move his head very well. He stands too tall, particularly by boxing standards, which means his upright head is an easy target for weaving hooks and intercepting straight punches.
However, it should be noted that Perry possesses a formidable long-range offensive skill set. He possesses the ability to deliver a forceful jab, ensuring that he counters any opponent attempting to maintain distance. Additionally, he occasionally initiates an attack by leading with a powerful right straight punch before swiftly transitioning into a Southpaw stance, employing a strategic maneuver commonly seen in the world of mixed martial arts.
Perry excels at using the inside slip as a distance tactic during his fights. By enticing his opponent to throw a jab through either pressure or his own jab, Perry seizes the opportunity to slip inside the punch and position himself over his lead knee. This technique pairs well with his overhand right, which can be devastating when thrown simultaneously with the inside slip. Additionally, Perry demonstrates explosive power from his loaded lead leg, allowing him to unleash both the left uppercut and left hook. In contrast to fighters like Michael Page and Michael Seals, who rely on different movements and fighting ranges, Perry’s inside slip followed by the left hook or uppercut has proven to be highly effective in landing significant strikes.
Perry’s tactics have undergone a significant change after his departure from the UFC, with a greater focus on targeting the body. Previously, he primarily aimed for the head in the Octagon, but now he consistently aims to inflict damage on his opponent’s body. When he manages to secure a clinch, Perry frequently unleashes a barrage of strikes to the midsection. Moreover, he utilizes body shots as a means to close the distance between himself and his opponent. While advancing, he skillfully dips his head to either side, delivering a left or right hook to the lower body.
It is worth mentioning that Perry inflicted severe damage to Luke Rockhold’s ribs. This marked the most significant discrepancy in height and reach that Perry has encountered, yet he compensated for it by delivering powerful hooks and lunging shots. Whenever Rockhold was pushed against the ropes, Perry would swiftly crouch down and relentlessly target his ribs in an attempt to weaken him.
Rockhold was not pleased at all.
In his final showing, Perry delivered a flawless combination that left Thiago Alves stunned. Maneuvering skillfully, he initially targeted the body with a powerful left punch. Then, he swiftly shifted position to regain his balance and swiftly followed up with a left hook to the head, instantly igniting a reaction from the former title contender within a mere sixty seconds.
mike perry knocks out thiago alves in under a minute at #BKFCKM4 pic.twitter.com/0DuDnHaBs7
— jake (@jakeshreds420) April 28, 2024
Conclusion
Mike Perry’s dominance in BKFC is anything but complicated. His boxing style is undeniably simple yet effective. What truly sets him apart from his competitors is his remarkable resilience, his capacity to withstand punishment, and his ability to deliver devastating knockout blows with either hand. Perry is an unstoppable force, still at the pinnacle of his career, and it’s safe to say that Paul has never encountered an opponent quite like him in the ring.
Andrew Richardson, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, is a professional fighter who trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California. In addition to learning alongside world-class talent, Andrew has scouted opponents and developed winning strategies for several of the sport’s most elite fighters.
