Former UFC fighters getting into the boxing ring has become a trend in the last few years. Fans have seen several veterans, such as Francis Ngannou, Anderson Silva, and Tyron Woodley, among others, try their luck inside the squared circle. Former UFC title challenger Nate Diaz has also shifted to boxing and recently got a callout from a top BKFC star. 

Following his UFC departure, Mike Perry has reinvented himself as one of the top fighters in Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Currently holding the BKFC ‘King of Violence’ title, Perry has gained massive popularity among fans for his brutal performances.

In his most recent fight, Perry dominated former UFC lightweight Jeremy Stephens, earning a decisive TKO victory at BKFC 82. After the win, the fighter expressed his strong desire to transition back into boxing and called out Nate Diaz for a potential matchup.

“I heard some fun things are on the horizon. Another boxing match, [this time] with Nate Diaz. I need to f***ing get a win in the boxing ring. I don’t think Nate punches very hard. I don’t think he can hurt me. Will he outbox me all night? Not if I’m in this kind of shape. Not if I put that drive and pressure on him. He doesn’t get tired, right? It’ll be harder to break him with gloves on. I think it’s a good boxing match”, said Mike Perry. 

In addition to his boxing ambitions, Mike Perry invited Diaz to face him under his unique “Dirty Boxing” rules format. The hybrid combat style, created by Perry in 2024, features 4-ounce gloves and permits limited but strategic elbow strikes during fights. As the founder of the Dirty Boxing Championship, Perry believes Diaz is the perfect opponent to boost the promotion’s visibility.

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Nate Diaz’s boxing journey 

Nate Diaz made his professional boxing debut in August 2023, facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a highly anticipated bout. Despite losing the fight via unanimous decision, Diaz’s determination and passion for boxing remained strong and continued to grow. The Stockton native eventually secured his first boxing victory against former UFC rival Jorge Masvidal in an intense 2024 matchup.

Since that win, Diaz has not returned to the boxing ring, though he has repeatedly hinted at a possible comeback. Diaz is undoubtedly one of the most iconic figures in the world of combat sports and can certainly sell tickets. Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see whether he accepts the invitation to fight Mike Perry next.

READ MORE: Father of Tom Aspinall Urges Him to Leave UFC for Boxing: “He’ll Be a Champion by 2028”

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