by Dane McGuire
Famed MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz recently revealed to MMA Junkie that new BKFC middleweight champion Thiago Alves has his first title defense in mind: fellow UFC veteran Mike Perry.
“Thiago is ready for June to fight Mike Perry,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “It’s the biggest fight Bare Knuckle FC can make right now. It’s going to be fireworks and I think these two guys are going to put on a great fight for everybody.”
Perry, fresh off a decision victory over UFC veteran Julian Lane at KnuckleMania 2 in Perry BKFC debut, made his intentions clear after picking up the win.
“Absolutely, I do (want to fight for the title),” Perry told MMA Junkie following his debut win. “I just need a couple of months to heal and strengthen some things. I’ll be working within that time.”
Prior to BKFC, Perry earned a decision victory in a standing-only hybrid rules fight against Michael Seals as part of Triller’s Triad Combat. Meanwhile, Alves is 2-0 in BKFC.
Alves said in late February of a fight with Perry:
“I think that’s the fight the fans want to see,” Alves told MMA Junkie. “That’s the fight that could bring this sport to a new different level, probably bring the sport to the mainstream. That’s the only high-profile fight where I can make the money I deserve.
“If BKFC is willing to pay what I think I deserve to fight somebody else, I’m more than happy. I see myself as a hitman – just pay my fee and tell me who I need to take care of. I think right now that’s the biggest fight in BKFC.
He has a big following and everybody knows who I am in combat sports. I was at the top of the UFC and now I’m the champion at BKFC. That’s the fight that makes sense, so hopefully, we can get to an agreement and make this happen.”
Alves went on to say that for him, the potential bout is basically a case of stepping up against the next man in line.
“For me, it’s just another day,” Alves said. “It’s not going to stop me from throwing punches and doing what I have to do to win. I think he has the same mentality. He comes forward and he doesn’t mind getting dirty. So me and him versus each other in that square circle, I think it has a great potential for the biggest fight in BKFC ever.”
An official fight announcement from the promotion is yet to come.