BKFC champ angered by Mike Perry’s “poster boy” status despite lack of title success, promises to KO him whenever they fight

BKFC has quickly emerged as an alternative to the UFC. However, instead of being a mixed martial arts promotion, it is the world's premier bare-knuckle boxing organization. But that doesn't mean it is bereft of MMA talent, as it has attracted several of the UFC's ex-stars.

Among them is former UFC welterweight power-puncher Mike Perry, who left the MMA world in 2021. Instead, Perry has found a new life as the face of BKFC, embarking on a three-fight undefeated streak that has drawn significant attention. However, fellow bare-knuckle boxer David Mundell is less than pleased.

Mundell captured the BKFC middleweight title back on December 3, 2022. During a recent interview with well-known combat sports journalist John Morgan, David Mundell claimed that Mike Perry is being protected by matchmakers when asked about a potential bout between the two:

"No, man. They're never going to let me ruin their poster boy. It's too easy of a fight for me. You know, at this point, they're just going to keep handing me bums, and I feel like they might as well give me a famous one, and Mike Perry is right up there. If not, I don't know, one of these influencers, and I don't really care about fighting them. It's just, I want to get paid for what we do, and I'm the best in the division. I don't understand what the problem is. Everyone's like, 'Oh, Mike Perry this, Mike Perry.' I will smash that kid."

Perry and Mundell have a history, having faced each other twice in MMA. Their first encounter was an amateur MMA bout, which ended in a second-round knockout loss for Mundell. Their second clash was in the professional world and ended in a second-round knockout loss for Mundell.

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Conor McGregor's appearance at BKFC 41

Part of what David Mundell means when he refers to Mike Perry as the promotion's poster child is the amount of attention he's received since signing with the promotion. An example of that is the in-ring face-off he was afforded by former UFC double champion Conor McGregor at BKFC 41.

After defeating former UFC middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold via second-round TKO, Mike Perry was treated to a staredown with the Irishman. The two flirted with the idea of a bare-knuckle showdown, but nothing has since come of it.