‘Platinum’ Mike Perry: “I love punching people in the face and breaking their hands on my head.”
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Las Vegas, NV (April 4, 2023) Tuesday afternoon in the Fight Capital, Las Vegas Nevada, David Feldman, President of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), The World’s Fastest Growing Combat Sports Promotion, hosted a Press Conference for their massive BKFC-41 Pay-Per-View event on Saturday, April 29 in Denver, CO.
Among those in attendance for the huge crowd of local media were special guest Chael Sonnen and combat sport legends, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, Luke Rockhold, Chad Mendes, Ben Rothwell and Christine Ferea. The event moderator was Cyrus Fees.
Below are quotes from those in attendance.
David Feldman, President of BKFC
“This is the biggest event we’ve done in five years and will be seen by over 20,000,000 viewers worldwide. This show is amazing to have these true MMA legends coming over to this new sport. If you’ve never watched BKFC, this is the one to see, the most exciting, fast paced sport in the world featuring the baddest men and women in the world.”
“It’s great to be here in Las Vegas for this press conference and we’re looking at promoting an event here in early 2024.”
“We’re talking to every combat sports free agent and Nate Diaz is certainly a possibility.”
Chael Sonnen
“There’s not one of these fighters on the dais I’d want to tangle with.”
“It’s truly an honor to be here for this incredible event. We’re off to a great start in Nevada and I think the commission will be very welcoming to BKFC.”
“I thought in 2018 BKFC was going to be hard to get off the ground but things are definitely headed in the right direction for the company.”
“It’s going to take one hell of a man to fight Ben Rothwell in three weeks.”
‘Platinum’ Mike Perry
“You think you have something on me and I’m the smaller guy, you couldn’t be more wrong. This is different than what you’re used to, this is mano a mano and this is me all day. I’m getting you paid and laid out. I made this fight happen, I called you out.”
“I’m looking to knock Rockhold out with every punch from the start. I’m going up against a taller, stronger, uglier fighter. I love punching people in the face and breaking their hands with my head.”
Luke Rockhold
“I’m ready for Mike Perry, I’m different and there’s a reason he never made it to the top. I believe in my strength, footwork and power and I’m going to adapt just fine. A win is a win and I’m going to capitalize on all of his mistakes.”
“You can’t avoid a fight in BKFC and there’s nothing more exciting than a fight with Mike Perry.”
Chad Mendes
“It’s been tough staying motivated but this excites me and motivates me. Eddie Alvarez and I have both been at the top and we’ll be pushing the pace which will make this a fantastic BKFC fight.”
“Going into my first BKFC fight I had no idea what to expect but it’s definitely given me an advantage.”
Eddie Alvarez
“Thanks to Dave Feldman, I’ve been looking for a fight for two years and BKFC has provided me with one. This truly excites me, the right opportunity and the right opponent. It’s a very cool new sport and I have someone really violent in front of me.”
“I’ve had numerous bare knuckle fights back in Philly, but this is the first time I’m getting paid and I’m going to defend my honor.”
Ben Rothwell
“My opponent has officially backed out. We will have a new opponent announced soon, maybe Chael Sonnen who has talked a lot of trash about me. Somebody step up and fight me. I’ll be happy to fight Francis Ngannou or Tyson Fury in BKFC.”
Christine Ferea
“I’m here training in elevation, one mile up to be prepared for Denver. I know Bec Rawlings is tough and stubborn but that will be her downfall. Whatever plan she
has won’t save her. I’m honored to be here with these legends but I’m stealing the show.”
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Fighting in the middleweight division, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, (2-0), will defend his reputation at BKFC-41 as ‘The Baddest Man in International Combat Sports’ against former UFC Middleweight World Champion Luke Rockhold.
Making his return to the square ring of warriors, BKFC fan favorite and three-time UFC world title challenger Chad ‘Money’ Mendes, (1-0), clashes with two-time Bellator and UFC Lightweight World Champion Eddie ‘The Underground King’ Alvarez, competing in the welterweight division.
The toughest woman in international combat sports, BKFC Women’s Flyweight World Champion Christine ‘Misfit’ Ferea, (6-1), will defend her title for the second time against perennial contender ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings, (3-1).
Former UFC Heavyweight Star ‘Big’ Ben Rothwell, (1-0), will fight for the second time under the BKFC banner against upset-minded Josh ‘Stay Down’ Watson, (2-1).
Details for the advance Pay-Per-View broadcast purchase of this monumental event, BKFC-41, are located at BKFC.com.
Advance tickets for BKFC-41 are Now On-Sale at BKFC.com. The 1STBANK Center is located at 11450 Broomfield Lane, Broomfield, CO, 80021. More information can be found on the venue’s website at www.1stbankcenter.com. BKFC-41 is sponsored by Only Fans, Crescent Tools, LIONS NOT SHEEP and Knockout Gummies.
A fighting legend in the UFC, ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry of Orlando, FL made his immediate intentions known in his BKFC debut with a five round dominant win over bare-knuckle veteran Julian Lane at KnuckleMania 2 on February 19, 2022. He followed that up by defeating Bellator superstar Michael Page fighting in a memorable six-round war on August 20, 2022 in BKFC’s first event in England at the famed Wembley Arena. Prior to his BKFC debut, Perry competed in the first ever Triad Combat event, defeating world ranked boxer Michael Seals in front of a massive crowd at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas which also saw music icons Metallica perform. Perry’s larger than life presence has made him the constant talk of combat sports media with his willingness to fight anyone in any discipline.
Fighting out of Santa Cruz, CA, Luke Rockhold won the UFC Middleweight World Title by defeating Chris Weidman in December 2015. Among his accolades during his illustrious UFC career were wins over Michael Bisping, Lyoto Machida and Paulo Costa. His wins over Weidman and Costa earned Fight of the Night honors. He also won the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship with a victory over Ronaldo Souza along with title defenses against Keith Jardine and Tim Kennedy. His professional MMA record stands at 16-6.
Chad Mendes made his impressive BKFC debut with a fourth-round stoppage of Joshua ‘Famez’ Alvarez at KnuckleMania 2 on February 19, 2022. Prior to joining BKFC, the Sacramento, CA native starred in the UFC for seven years, challenging three times for the featherweight championship. Included in his highlights were two Fight of the Night honors against Jose Aldo and Alexander Volkanowski. He also won two Performances of the Night and holds the record for most knockouts in UFC featherweight history (six). Mendes headlined three UFC pay-per-view events, twice against Jose Aldo and once against Conor McGregor, compiling a professional MMA record of 18-5 before joining BKFC.
Eddie Alvarez of Philadelphia, PA won the UFC Lightweight Championship in July 2016 defeating Rafael dos Anjos and was a two-time Bellator Lightweight World Champion. In the last four years he has competed in Asia for One Championship totaling a remarkable 18-year professional MMA career with a record of 30-8, 2 NC. Among the top conquests in Alvarez’s career include Justin Gaethje, Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez and Michael Chandler.
Internationally known as the ‘Toughest Woman in Combat Sports’, Christine Ferea has become a must-see fighter for BKFC fans. Winning her world title in a rematch against Britain Hart at KnuckleMania 2, Ferea made her first defense at BKFC-28, stopping arch nemesis Taylor Starling in the first round. She also holds victories under the BKFC banner against Calista Silgado, Calie Cutler and Jennifer Tate.
Australian Bec Rawlings, a veteran of the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter, was featured on the first two BKFC events; stopping Alma Garcia in the second round at BKFC-1 and winning a unanimous decision over current BKFC Strawweight Women’s World Champion Britain Hart at BKFC-2. Most recently, Rawlings lost a hotly contested decision to fierce rival Hart on June 24, 2022 at BKFC-26. She also holds a unanimous decision victory over Cecilia Flores at BKFC-4.
Following an outstanding career in the UFC and compiling a professional MMA record of 39-14, Ben Rothwell wasted no time making a statement in BKFC knocking out veteran Bobo O’Bannon at the :19 mark of the opening stanza at BKFC-30 on October 1, 2022.
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Media Contact/Credentials
Bernie Bahrmasel
Double B Sports
Phone: + 1 773 592-2986
Email: Bernie@BKFC.com
Twitter: @BernieBahrmasel
About Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) is the first promotion allowed to hold a legal, sanctioned, and regulated bare knuckle event in the United States since 1889. Based in Philadelphia, and headed by President and former professional boxer David Feldman, BKFC is dedicated to preserving the historical legacy of bare knuckle fighting, while utilizing a specifically created rule set that emphasizes fighter safety. BKFC holds all of its bouts in a revolutionary circular four-rope ring, designed to encourage fast-paced and exciting bouts. The patented BKFC “Squared Circle” contains scratch lines, based on the Broughton Rules which governed bare knuckle fighting in the 19th century, and which requires fighters to “Toe the Line”: start every round face to face, and just inches apart.
In BKFC, only those fighters who are established professionals in boxing, MMA, kickboxing, or Muay Thai are allowed to compete. The referees and judges are required to have extensive professional combat sports experience. All fights are held under the auspices and control of an Athletic Commission. Unlike other fighting organizations and combat sports internationally which claim to be “bare knuckle”, but require wraps, tape, and gauze; BKFC is true to its word as fighters are not allowed to wrap their hands to within one inch of the knuckle. This makes BKFC unquestionably the truest form of bare knuckle fighting. BKFC is dedicated to not just creating the safest, most exciting, and highest-level bare-knuckle fighting organization in the world, it’s also leading the way for a new fully recognized professional combat sport. BKFC is truly the sport of the future, which fully respects its remarkable past.
