Mike Perry Targets Nate Diaz in UFC Comeback Fight
A fighter coming back from years away doesn’t just need timing—it needs a story the audience can feel in the first exchange. For Mike Perry, that moment is taking shape as he prepares to face Nate Diaz on the Rousey vs. Carano card May 16.
Perry (14-8) has not competed inside the UFC since 2021, when he parted ways with the promotion. Since then, he has built an unbeaten stretch with BKFC, including winning the promotion’s “King of Violence” title. His return to MMA will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., with the fight streaming on Netflix.
“I’m looking to go in and give the people the bloody people’s fight, people’s main event show that they’re looking for, the real BMF-style altercation,” Perry said. “Meet Nate in the middle and spread some blood.” He framed the matchup as an opportunity to push Diaz while staying aggressive from the opening minutes.
Diaz (21-13) has been finished only twice in his combat sports career, with one stoppage coming via a doctor’s stoppage against Jorge Masvidal. Perry believes his own preparation puts him in position to damage Diaz’s durability. “Yeah, I think so,” Perry said. “I think after everything, years in our careers—don’t get me wrong. Nate is very durable, very tough. I think I can have the skills and abilities, the way training is going, I think I will be very sharp, very dangerous, very on point, and targeted. I’m grateful for the fight, the opportunity, and I’m looking to capitalize on it, and give the fans a very violent and intense, bloody show.”
For Perry, the path to impact likely runs through controlling exchanges rather than waiting for a single opening. If he can dictate range and force Diaz into repeated resets, the fight can lean toward the kind of welterweight chaos Perry wants.
“I think I will be very sharp, very dangerous, very on point, and targeted,” Perry added, tying his intent to how he plans to fight inside the cage. “That’s what we’re going to get into. Me and Nate are going to throw hands in the middle. I’m going to watch submissions. I’m going to try to throw some elbows. I get to come back into elbow territory and land maybe some knees, some kicks, throw some big punches, and do what I need to do to dominate on an MMA event that’s going to get the most eyes that an MMA event has ever had.”
He said the bout on Netflix is a rare career spotlight and a chance to turn that attention into lasting momentum. “It’s going to get the most eyes on Netflix, so it’s a great opportunity for me and my career,” Perry said. US News Hub Misryoum will follow developments as May 16 approaches, including how Perry’s BKFC form translates when the stakes are so widely watched. In this matchup, the focus is as much about pace and decision-making as it is about power—exactly the kind of test that can define a comeback.