Bare Knuckle FC star Mike Perry suffered more than a last-second change in opponents for Duel Arena’s inaugural MMA event.
Mike Perry and Dillon Danis were supposed to headline Duel Arena 1 this weekend in Florida for the promotion’s inaugural event. The card features many former UFC standouts on the undercard, which marked Perry and Danis’ returns to the cage.
But just hours before the event, it was reported that Danis was forced to withdraw from the Perry fight after suffering a gruesome arm injury during fight week. Fellow UFC vet Brandon Jenkins will fight Perry in the new Duel Arena 1 main event this weekend.
After Danis seemed initially apologetic on social media after his withdrawal, he’s taken a different tone in recent hours. Following Perry’s fiery appearance at the pre-fight press conference, Danis hinted that he was responsible for the bulk of the fight purses.
Mike Perry suffering 50% pay cut for new fight after Dillon Danis’ pullout
“It’s f***** up, man. It makes me think this was always their plan,” Perry said during the pre-fight press conference. “I gotta take a massive pay cut to take this new fight. You’d think accepting something last second would give you more, rather than much less.”
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani later reported that Duel Arena sources told him that Perry will suffer a 50% pay cut for his new fight with Jenkins.
As of this writing, it remains uncertain whether or not Danis is under contract for a potential fight in Duel Arena, or if renegotiations loom. Danis hasn’t fought in MMA since winning Misfits MMA’s inaugural title last year against Warren Spencer.
Meanwhile, Perry returns to MMA after defeating former UFC superstar Nate Diaz on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. He’s been successful in MMA, bare-knuckle boxing, and professional boxing since his UFC departure.
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