This blog is about the BKFC Knucklemania live event for Mike Perry and Julian Lane at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino in Hollywood.
This is a middleweight co-headliner which features the anticipated BKFC debut of Mike Perry, who also makes his bare-knuckle boxing debut following a five-year UFC run that saw him go 7-8 over 15 appearances in the promotion. Perry’s octagon career was highlighted by notable wins over Paul Felder and Jake Ellenberger.
Lane, who is 12-9-1 in MMA and 3-4 in his bare-knuckle boxing career, is perhaps best known for being the “Let me bang, bro” contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 16. He and Perry’s rivalry began with a memorable altercation at BKFC Tampa in December.
The pre-fight press conference saw Perry brandishing an axe and Perry exchanging intense verbal insults.
Check out this live blog on Mike Perry vs. Julian Lane.
Round 1: Lane gets to work with a jab and then follows with a successful overhand. Mike fights backwards on the jab and then grabs Lane with a righthook that knocks Lane. Lane wins the eight count and is able to survive. Perry rushes in to complete the task and is able to catch a huge jab which opens a cut. Perry holds Lane down in a clinch, until the ref releases them. Perry is now working his left uppercut, and then his right hand. Lane wraps Lane up and gives him a split. Lane is cut badly on his face. Lane jabs forward into the clinch, and they jockey for position. Perry looks for uppercuts as he runs out of time.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Perry.
Round 2: Perry moves forward and wings a hook that misses. Lane returns to his jab and punches into a clinch. They lock up, tagging each others bodies, and after the break, Lane gets caught with a counter that’s ruled a stumble. One more shot and they both have land-winging rights. Perry looks like the fresher fighter here, but Lane is hanging in close, firing hooks back as Perry looks for the kill shot. Perry moves forward with a nice combo. He explodes in again, and is caught with a right-hook counter. Perry waits for Lane to explode in. As time is running out, he connects to the counter and begins searching for the next-up.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lane.
Round 3: Lane back to the jab, and a shot from Perry makes him touch his eye. Pery is more assertive early on, creating combinatinos and then taking a step back in order to regroup. Left hook from Lane scores, and he explodes in again to the clinch. Perry hits the body, and they work out on their own. Perry’s left arm is bruised, but Perry punches the clinch and Lane responds with two uppercuts. Lane jabs in, and Perry wings back a few hooks. Lane intercepts Perry and gets within striking distance before setting things straight. Fight ends on a tenative note as Perry closes in with Lane against the ropes. Both fighters are beginning to tire, Lane’s experience is obvious, but Perry is a bit more precise this round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Perry.
Round 4: Perry points to the scratch line, and the referee calls a medical timeout. Lane has a bad cut on his forehead. Lane works the jab and Perry charges in, landing a shot that connects but doesn’t produce a knockdown. Both fighters pawing away with leads, looking for openings. Perry is warned by Ref for an open-hand slap. Lane is not charged and then redoubles his efforts with jabs. Perry approaches him, and he unloads hooks on Lane. But they are blocked. Lane back in with jabs, and Perry misses on the counter. Big wide hook connects for Perry, and he appears more in control of the round than before, dictating the action. Overhand right from Lane lands big, and a two-punch combo rattles Perry in the final seconds. Round stealer for Lane.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lane.
Round 5: Last round, and Perry goes back to countering as Lane explodes in, firing the left hook off Lane’s right hand. Lane comes with left hooks, and Perry appears to be wobbled slightly. Perry has a severe swelling of his left eye. Lane receives a straight hand from the right. Perry combines in close but Lane covers him and attacks with a left hook. Perry advances once more, but Perry is able to get away quickly. Final stretch, and Lane lands a right hook, brushing his eyes. Another pair of charging shots from Lane in the closing seconds of the fight, and that was enough to clinch it.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Lane.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Mike Perry def. Julian Lane via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46)
