Mike Perry is heading into Saturday night with full confidence that Nate Diaz will not be able to handle his power.
The former UFC fan favorites are set to collide in the co-main event of MVP MMA 1 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The event streams live on Netflix and marks another major spotlight moment for Perry, who has rebuilt his career outside the UFC under the BKFC banner.
Perry promises pressure from opening bell
During Wednesday’s open workouts, Perry made it clear he has no intention of easing into the fight. Perry told MMA Junkie during Wednesday’s open workout scrum.
“I’m not going to start slow, I’m going to get in there and get it going, whether that means he’s hitting me and that gets me going or I’m landing that range because I’m fast as heck, and I’m in crazy shape. It don’t matter.”
Perry enters the matchup riding a six-fight winning streak in BKFC competition. Four of those victories ended by stoppage, helping him earn the “King of Violence” reputation.
Diaz, meanwhile, has long been viewed as one of the toughest fighters in MMA history. Across a lengthy UFC career, he was rarely finished with strikes.
Still, Perry believes his punching power will be too much to survive.
“I’m going to be catching him, my shots ain’t for anybody to withstand. I don’t care if you’ve got durability.”
“II can hit hard enough so, you just got to know how to finish somebody, and I’ve been doing this a long time. I’m really good at it, I’m one of the best in the world.”
His predictions kind of match ours, see our predictions for Diaz vs Perry here.
Diaz durability facing serious test
UFC oddsmakers currently have Perry listed as the favorite heading into the welterweight showdown, and the hard-hitting veteran expects to leave with a knockout win.
“Nate’s a super tough challenge, but I think he looks like a face that I can plant my fist into.”
“Take him to the beach, boys, where I’m going to put him to sleep and when he opens his eyes, he’s going to be sipping Mai Tais, and he’s going to realize where he woke up at.”
“I’m really good at hitting people in the face and they don’t like it.”
The bout serves as one of the featured attractions on the inaugural MMA card promoted by Most Valuable Promotions and backed by Jake Paul.