Mike Perry, promoting Dirty Boxing 2, trained with former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland in Las Vegas, sparring in preparation for the event, while expressing frustration over his long hiatus from fighting.
Mike Perry is in full promoter mode for Dirty Boxing 2 in Miami this Saturday. But that doesn’t stop him from getting some training with a former UFC middleweight champ.
Before the second Dirty Boxing event, Perry made a trip to Las Vegas. There, he sparred with Sean Strickland at Xtreme Couture.
“We’ve talked about it a few times,” Perry told MMA Fighting. “I had to go to Vegas. He’s the big name, and ‘Platinum’s’ got his own power going on.”
Strickland even invited Perry to ride dirt bikes and shoot guns in the desert. But Perry was short on time. “You guys got sparring at 10 a.m.? OK, I’ll be there.”
Dirty Boxing 2 features ex-UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik against Devon Schwan. Perry co-created Dirty Boxing, showcasing his relentless fighting style.
“I warmed up, did a round with someone else, then sparred Sean—who’s very big,” Perry said. “He’s got at least 35 pounds on me.”
“Sean was very defensive. I can make you tired just blocking punches, or taking them on the forehead,” Perry added.
Perry’s fighting career has things in the works, but nothing concrete yet. He’s frustrated after nearly 14 months out of the BKFC ring.
Fans threw shade after his spar with Strickland. Perry’s response? “Get in there with Strickland and see what happens.”
“Sean will put you out, and I’ll put you out too,” Perry said. “So don’t be hating; I’m out here elevating.”