Michael Joseph Perry, an American professional mixed martial artist and bare-knuckle boxer, has faced several controversies throughout his career, particularly regarding accusations of racism and the use of offensive language. This article delves into these incidents, exploring the context and reactions surrounding them.
Mike Perry at UFC Fight Night 116
Background
Michael Joseph Perry was born on September 15, 1991, in Flint, Michigan. He competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 15 times. Currently, he is competing in the Middleweight division of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), where he is the current "King of Violence" champion.
For much of his life, Perry moved around to different schools between Michigan and Florida. He said, "[In Michigan], I was one of maybe 10 white kids in the whole school, so I was bullied a lot. It was the same thing at other schools. I wouldn’t back down, so I would get into fights."
This instability led him to a path of drugs, house arrest, probation violation, and jail. Upon his release from jail for burglary, he got a job as a trainer at a UFC gym in Winter Springs, Florida. Perry started training boxing at age 11. Perry made his professional debut in September 2014, after completing 11 amateur fights with a record of 8-3. He competed for several regional promotions across the United States.
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Controversies
Alex Nicholson Incident
During a fight against Lim Hyun-gyu, Perry's cornerman and fellow fighter Alex Nicholson shouted during the pre-fight introductions, "He can't even open his motherfucking eyes." Nicholson was accused of racism for this, as Lim is Korean.
The UFC issued a statement on Nicholson's racial remarks. Some viewed the remarks as bigotry.
Use of Racial Slurs
Skip on UFC fighter Mike Perry uses racial slurs, punches man during skirmish at Texas restaurant
Perry has faced criticism for his use of the n-word. He claimed that since a home DNA kit revealed him to be 2% of African descent, he has a true pass because after all, he is 2% black. The term was created to divide and conquer under the pretense that being African or of color denotes inferiority, aka being a “nigger”.
Perry went further, taking to social media to claim that since a home DNA kit revealed him to be 2% of African descent, he has a true pass because after all, he is 2% black. The term was created to divide and conquer under the pretense that being African or of color denotes inferiority, aka being a “nigger”.
Angela Hill, the first-ever black female UFC fighter, replied to Perry's comments with disdain. "White people using ‘n*gga’ to insult a black person, I don’t give a f*ck what your intentions were, it ain’t right," she tweeted. "The few times I’ve run into Perry during fights he’s seemed cool, this isn’t cool."
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It's worth noting that the UFC has not taken any disciplinary action against Perry and has made no mention of an investigation being implemented against Perry or Woodley.
Tyron Woodley's Involvement
After seeing that Perry was engaging with him on his live stream to the fans, Tyron Woodley initiated a Facetime phone call. By co-signing Perry, Woodley has diluted his stance, and erased all his position as MMA’s “woke” champion.
Colby Covington's Comments
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and other Black athletes scheduled to compete at UFC 253 on Saturday spoke Wednesday about recent comments made by welterweight Colby Covington.
After the fight, Covington referred to Woodley as "a communist, a Marxist, [someone] standing up for lifelong criminals." After receiving a phone call from President Trump shortly after the fight, Covington also asked current UFC champion Kamaru Usman, who was born in Nigeria, if he got a call from his "little tribe" using "smoke signals."
The UFC has not punished Covington for the comments or commented on them.
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Bantamweight Sijara Eubanks said, "Let's be real, first and foremost. It wasn't 'unfortunate.' It was flat-out racist. It was racist. It was disgusting. It was quite frankly disappointing, but at the same time, the one thing I appreciate is the UFC lets whoever say whatever. They have never muzzled us as fighters. If you want to talk, if you don't want to talk, if you want to be political, if you don't want to be political, I have to appreciate the company lets us say what we want."
Featherweight Hakeem Dawodu, said, "It's crazy that comments like that are causing more and more divide amongst the people. That's how he gets down, but I'm not really with that and I took offense to that for sure. ... [The UFC] was almost worried about my walkout song, and he's gonna be saying stuff like that? That's crazy."
Comparison to Miguel Torres Incident
In 2011, UFC Bantamweight and former WEC Champion Miguel Torres tweeted, “If a rape van was called a surprise van more women wouldn’t mind going for rides in them”. A tasteless joke, yes. The N-word? Not even close. Nevertheless, the tweet angered Dana White so much that he promptly cut Torres from the roster.
Afterward the UFC issued the following statement, “The organization finds Mr. So there IS a code of conduct! What is it exactly? Clearly the LGBT community is protected from inflammatory and offensive statements, but there is still no clear explanation as to how it protects black people from being called the N-word by white folks.
Personal Life Incidents
On New Year's Eve 2016, Perry was involved in an altercation in Orlando, Florida. In July 2020, Perry was questioned by police due to an incident at a restaurant in Lubbock, Texas, where three people were allegedly assaulted.
Part of the incident was filmed, showing an elderly man and Perry in a heated dispute. The man lunged towards Perry, and Perry threw a right-hand punch. The man was unconscious when police arrived on the scene and he was hospitalized. Perry was charged with class A assault, a misdemeanor.
Nickerson claimed that in February 2020, Perry became angry after an altercation with a woman at a bar. Once the couple returned home, Perry took his frustrations out on Nickerson by taking her to the ground and hitting her with a barrage of punches that bruised her face. After the incident Nickerson was picked up by Perry's mother, Sabra Young, and taken to Young's home. When Perry followed Nickerson to the Young residence, Young locked him out of the house and called 911.
Nickerson also alleged that during a prior incident, Perry struck her in the forehead while wearing his wedding ring, leaving a hematoma.
Nickerson said that the abuse grew so severe that she filed for a restraining order against Perry after the dissolution of their romantic relationship.
Fight Record
Perry made his professional debut in September 2014, after completing 11 amateur fights with a record of 8-3.Here is a summary of his fight record:
| Promotion | Record |
|---|---|
| UFC | 7-8 |
| BKFC | 4-0 |
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