BKFC president David Feldman reacts to Mike Perry’s injury in loss and his future in bare-knuckle fighting

Mike Perry's weekend in bare-knuckle fighting did not go as planned. The BKFC fighter was set to face outspoken MMA crossover Dillon Danis at the Duel Arena event in Orlando on Saturday, but Danis withdrew from the bout. Rather than sit out, Perry accepted a last-minute fight against Brandon Jenkins.

Disaster struck early. In the opening round, Perry dislocated his shoulder, severely compromising his ability to defend himself. Jenkins capitalized with a body kick followed by punches, forcing the TKO stoppage moments later. The full extent of Perry's injury remains unclear, but a significant layoff appears likely as he recovers.

BKFC president David Feldman, who has backed Perry's crossover success, expressed sympathy but also caution about the decision to take the replacement bout on short notice. "The problem with taking a last-minute fight like that, the other guy Brandon Jenkins, had nothing to lose at all," Feldman told MMA Fighting. "Mike's shoulder popped out unfortunately for him and then he got kicked and then he got hit a few times." Feldman suggested he would not have made the same choice if managing Perry, though he acknowledged the fighter's ambitions to build a better life for his family.

The loss may temporarily reduce Perry's marketability, but Feldman isn't overly concerned about its long-term impact on potential BKFC matchups—particularly against Darren Till, a fight Feldman has discussed. Feldman believes Perry can rebuild his narrative by returning to bare-knuckle fighting, where he remains the reigning "King of Violence." Whether Perry's recovery timeline permits a swift return remains unknown, but his future in BKFC appears contingent on negotiations involving other suitors and the fighter's own willingness to commit fully to the promotion.