Since it was booked out of nowhere, Bare Knuckle FC dubbed Mike Perry vs. Michael Page “the most exciting fight nobody knew they wanted.” Little did we know we’d get even more than what was expected.
After a brutal five rounds Saturday night at BKFC 27, the judges scored the fight a split draw. BKFC rules state that a fight ending in a draw can go to a sixth and final overtime round. And so, for just the second time in the promotion’s four-year history, that’s what happened.
In the end, Perry outlasted Page for a hard-fought majority-decision victory in MVP’s backyard at OVO Arena Wembley in London.
“Sh*t, I said I was gonna do six rounds, and he said, ‘You don’t go to a draw with me,’” Perry said after the fight. “They were gonna give it to me at the end of five, but I walked out and told a lie, because I wanted more bloody, baby.”
Perry, who won his second BKFC fight in as many appearances, was cut above his eye and bleeding heavily as the final bell sounded. He suffered a broken jaw, which was evident from how swollen his mouth was. Page didn’t look much better, with heavy swelling around his eyes.
Page, a current welterweight title contender for Bellator who was on loan for this de facto UFC vs. Bellator matchup, talked down Perry’s skills as a fighter heading into BKFC 27. That changed after sharing 12 grueling minutes with him.
“I have to say, Mike Perry, I underestimated him a little bit,” Page said. “Very tough man. …
“I thought I did enough in terms of landing. He was definitely the more pressure fighter, but I thought I landed a little bit more. But it doesn’t matter. I didn’t make it decisive to the judges.”
Perry scored the only knockdown, which occurred in the first round. That was the most decisive round of the entire fight.
After that, Page settled in with counter-striking as he fought essentially how he does in MMA – just minus kicks. The technique faded, though, as the fight wore on, and Perry’s pressure was the difference.
Afterward, Perry said his performance proved to him that BKFC was made for him. And he also called out Jake Paul.
“I didn’t know it, but now I do. This is definitely for me,” Perry said. “I love this, because a lot of tough men are scared of this, and I want to be the toughest SOB out there. …
“Jake Paul, you need an opponent. You need a money fight. I’m the real money fight. Maybe I’ll put the pillows back on if you’re scared to get in here.”