Most of the time, if I told you someone from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship called out a UFC champion, you’d be right to file it under: ‘yeah, well that’s probably not going to happen.’ The UFC almost never does cross-promotional events.
On Saturday, “Platinum” Mike Perry called out former UFC welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler, and there are several reasons why it will probably happen.
In case you missed it, here’s Perry calling Lawler out during BKFC: Hollywood at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Saturday night.
First, Perry has graduated past the aspect of his career where he would make senseless callouts for attention that have no chance of coming to fruition. He’s endeavored to start his own combat sports promotion, Dirty Boxing, and Perry has learned how to capitalize on his fame.
If he’s calling Lawler out for a bare-knuckle fight, you can bet he’s gotten some indication that it’s a realistic possibility.
Second, as you can see from the clip, Lawler was present for the event, which likely means he was aware Perry was going to call him out. Because of that, there is good reason to believe there may already be a deal in place.
The purpose of the callout could have been to get the buzz going. Considering we’re in something of a quiet period for the UFC, it’s a good time to start this discussion.
Lastly, bare-knuckle has Lawler written all over it. Lawler isn’t currently signed with the UFC, which should free him of the red tape that usually comes with cross-promotion and the world’s No. 1 MMA organization.
The style of fighting that we see in bare-knuckle is what we’ve come to expect from Lawler, who was always down to stand and bang.
Quite honestly, there is an argument to be made that Perry-Lawler could be the biggest bare-knuckle fight the BKFC has promoted—if it happens.
Perry hasn’t competed since he lost to Jake Paul in a boxing match in July. Shortly after the loss, BKFC’s part-owner and former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor “fired” Perry on social media.
Apparently, the firing didn’t stick, as Perry has been present at several BKFC events and was in the ring with a mic on Saturday night to call out Lawler. There’s a lot to like and believe about this moment in BKFC.
I’ll be watching the developments on this story over the next few months. Don’t be surprised if this event comes together sometime in the spring. Here is a look at the results from BKFC: Hollywood.
BKFC on DAZN: Hollywood Results
- Mike Richman def. Jared Warren via KO in Round 1 (0:44)
Wins BKFC World Light-Heavyweight Title
- Christine Ferea def. Christine Vicens via TKO in Round 4 (1:22)
Defends BKFC World Women’s Flyweight Title
- Leonardo Perdomo def. Levi Costa via KO in Round 1 (0:47)
- Bryan Duran def. Kasim Ruffin via TKO in Round 1 (1:59)
- Gee Perez def. Cary Caprio via TKO in Round 1 (0:44)
- Justin Ibarrola def. Derek Perez via TKO in Round 2 (1:04)
- Edgard Plazaola def. Alex Castro via KO in Round 4 (1:25)
- Sabah Homasi def. Eduardo Peralta via KO in Round 2 (1:02)
- Tyler Randall def. Austin Lewis via KO in Round 1 (1:46)
- Francesco Ricchi def. Blake LaCaze via Unanimous Decision (50-43×2, 48-45)
- Brock Walker def. Chino Bloom via KO in Round 4 (1:04)
