{
  "id": 19862043,
  "title": "Mike Perry re-signs with UFC, officially returning more than 5 years after leaving promotion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/mike-perry-re-signs-with-ufc-officially-returning-more-than-5-years",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-13T20:41:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/article/mike-perry-re-signs-with-ufc-officially-returning-more-than-5-years-after-leaving-promotion-204136846.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mike Perry, the former UFC fighter, has returned to the promotion after a five-year hiatus. The news was confirmed by Ariel Helwani on Friday. Perry, a former welterweight prospect, left the UFC in 2021, ending his 15-fight run with a 7-8 record. He made his last appearance against Daniel Rodriguez, losing by unanimous decision in April of that year. Since then, Perry has ventured into bare-knuckle boxing, joining the BKFC where he became a standout performer, winning six fights including finishes of UFC champions Eddie Alvarez and Luke Rockhold. Perry's combat skills were further highlighted in a boxing match against Jake Paul in July 2024, leading to his return to MMA earlier this year. He made his UFC return at the inaugural MVP MMA event on Netflix in May, defeating Nate Diaz by second-round stoppage. Perry also fought again in August, but lost to Brandon Jenkins via a body kick and punches in Round 1, dislocating his shoulder in the process. Perry announced via The Ariel Helwani Show in October that he would not need surgery for his shoulder injury and that his time in BKFC was over for at least two years, signaling the length of his new UFC contract.",
  "summary": "Perry, who enjoyed a 15-fight UFC stint from 2016 to 2021, does not yet have his return opponent or date set.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mike Perry returns to UFC after 5-year absence.",
    "Perry fought in BKFC, winning 6 bouts including UFC champions.",
    "Perry made UFC debut at MVP MMA event, defeating Nate Diaz."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}