Saturday night at UFC Vegas 23 was not “Platinum” Mike Perry’s night. Neither was November 21st, 2020, the night of his previous fight at UFC 255. In fact, Perry has been having an awful lot of off Fight Nights, going 2-4 over the past 2 years.
That’s not just a lot of red on his record. It’s a lot of abuse taken by his body and his brain. This latest fight against Daniel Rodriguez was a one sided mauling that saw Perry lose 30-27, 30-27, and 30-26 on the scorecards.
In the past “Platinum” has started strong and even rallied during losing efforts to try and score a Hail Mary knockout. This past Saturday, Rodriguez just punched Perry in the face for the majority of the fight. I’d compliment Mike on surviving but it’s just not the kind of head trauma you want to see.
With questions on what’s next, “Platinum” Perry took to social media and just let it all out.
“I use to be great,” he wrote on Instagram. “Idk what happened. I have a fight left on my contract. I’ll train hard, I’ll give it my all for my family. Whatever I have to do to give them a better life. I’ll bleed every day for them if I have to.”
Guess I fought like a had a knife in a gun fight. Grappling was there but didn’t wanna use it. Better get on the pads.
— Platinum Mike Perry (@PlatinumPerry) April 11, 2021
This is the worst Perry has looked in the cage since Geoff Neal knocked him out back in UFC 245. Even when he was a lone wolf bringing his pregnant girlfriend as his corner, he fought with more intensity and urgency than on Saturday at the UFC APEX. Maybe Daniel Rodriguez is just that good. Maybe all these violent 15 minute bouts have broken him down. Whatever the case, it’s not exactly fun to watch any more as Dana White once said.