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      Mike Perry’s stunning rise from fighting in the streets to working as a weed whacker in prison and now boxing Jake Paul

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      SITTING in a prison cell after a botched robbery – Mike Perry’s prospects in life looked bleak. But after serving his time and turning to a career in professional fighting, Perry has completed a complete life turnaround. Mike Perry has had a stunning life turnaroundCredit: Instagram / platinummikeperryHe went from prison to prizefighterCredit: Instagram / platinummikeperryHe is the face of bare-knuckle boxingCredit: Instagram / bareknucklefcThe American was raised in Michigan, were racial tensions were high in Perry’s predominantly black neighborhood. It meant Perry was brawling in the streets way before he was being paid to do so as a profession. “I’ve always been a fighter. Being born in Flint, Michigan, we got great fighters from that area,” Perry told SunSport. “And, I ain’t gonna front being a white boy, having to defend yourself, just hazing in school between the boys.“Guys were strong already and at a young age, I remember guys being 6ft tall with beards in middle school, dunking the basketball and that went around all the sports, football, basketball, boxing, wrestling.” Perry discovered his talent for throwing hands well before picking up prizefighting paydays. “I always just had a knack for physicality,” he said. “I was strong, I was short, I was low to the ground and it took me a long time to realise that I had those abilities. I didn’t know.Most read in Boxing“And then I’ve been coached a lot, had lots of different trainings in my life.“It’s just something that I’ve had in my back pocket and that if I get mad or angry, I can fight, I can fight out of anything.” Sadly, it did not take long for trouble to find Perry. In 2011, aged just 19, Perry and a pair of accomplices drove to a home with the intention of committing armed burglary. But it was botched as the homeowner was in – although police happened to be scoping the area and caught the trio red-handed.Perry was sentenced to two years house arrest and probation – but he was later jailed after violating his terms. He finished the rest of his sentence incarcerated – but it kickstarted the turnaround his life needed. “I did learn a lot from it,” he admitted. “It was like a strict boarding school and you’re in there with a bunch of other guys who can’t get their s*** together either and you got nothing in there but time to get your s*** together.” Perry would spend time in the jail house gym or doing his own makeshift workouts in his cell when he was not working. “I had a job, I went to two different jails without leaving jail,” he said.”They transferred me a couple of times and I worked in the kitchen at one, so I could eat more.“It’s like you worked for just for food, for extra food in there. And then at the other one, I worked road crew where we got to leave and I weed whacked.”When Perry was released he got a job at a UFC gym teaching kickboxing classes while having a few amateur MMA fights. He made his MMA debut in 2014 and in just two years and seven bouts he was signed by the UFC. “I started making jumps and leaps and in the pros and in a short amount of time,” he said.”I think two years, I had seven knockouts in under the third round.“I hadn’t even been to the third round and then I got to the UFC and knocked out a couple more.”It was like a strict boarding school and you’re in there with a bunch of other guys who can’t get their s*** together either and you got nothing in there but time to get your s*** together.Mike Perry on his prison time Perry would go on to become a cult hero in the UFC, beloved for his toughness and all-action style. He spent five years in the UFC before leaving in 2021 to find his true calling. Perry signed a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and became the face of the brand thanks to his gritty style. He is 5-0 with exposed fists having knocked off some of MMA tops stars of recent years. And after years of callouts, Perry has finally landed his dream fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Paul, 27, was due to face Mike Tyson until the boxing icon, 58, withdrew amid a health scare. So Perry – three years after sparring Paul in Miami – finally gets his crack at the 9-1 social media sensation. And he promised that Paul will not hear the scheduled eighth and final round. “My prediction for the fight, I think I’m gonna get in there, I’m gonna showcase my skills,” he said. READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’m probably gonna hit Jake pretty hard throughout the fight early on, second round, third round, fourth round.“And then I’m thinking I can stop him in the seventh. I’m looking to stop him, I’m looking to hit him hard with significant strikes and stop him before the end of the fight.” More

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      Oleksandr Usyk told to fight Jake Paul with never-before-seen rules or make career switch after ‘retiring Tyson Fury’

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      OLEKSANDR USYK is running so short of opponents he could make a switch to MMA or have a never-before fight against Jake Paul.The Ukrainian great became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history by beating Tyson Fury. Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury but they will now rematchCredit: PAJake Paul could could be a shock option to fight UsykCredit: GettyBut he was forced to vacate his IBF title to proceed their their planned December 21 rematch in Saudi Arabia. One of Usyk’s coaches – Sergey Lapin – predicted another defeat would spell the end of Fury’s iconic career. And it would leave Usyk looking to the likes of MMA or even a spectacle bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul in search of new challenges. Lapin told Betway: “He’s proven he’s the best of this generation and, once he’s retired Tyson Fury, he will consider his options. READ MORE IN BOXING”Maybe that’s dropping down in weight again, or maybe there’s a wildcard option on the table for him; be it in the boxing ring, the MMA cage or even Conor McGregor’s Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.””Can you imagine Usyk and Jon Jones fighting to prove they’re the baddest man on the planet? “Or maybe it’s a third fight with Anthony Joshua in the MMA cage?”Maybe it’s Jake Paul at cruiserweight, although Usyk would need to fight him with one hand behind his back though to make it fair.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPaul, 27, returns over the weekend against ex-UFC star and bare-knuckle boxer Mike Perry, 32. Meanwhile, Usyk, 37, prepares to rematch Fury, 35, looking to continue his reign of domination at heavyweight. Boxing champ ready to fight Jake Paul for his world title… but warns it could end in BRAIN injury for YouTuberLapin added: “Usyk is running out of challenges at heavyweight. “He accepted the challenge at heavyweight and became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, a lot of work went into this achievement.”After the rematch we will see who will remain in the heavyweight division, but Usyk has now passed this level, everyone who stood in Usyk’s way has been overcome. “We are now set for a rematch with Fury, after that we will know who will be next.” More

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      Paige VanZant shares behind-the-scenes footage of Power Slap preparations as husband smacks her with foam tube

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      PAIGE VANZANT called on husband Austin Vanderford to help her Power Slap preparations – by getting smacked with a foam tube.VanZant was a shock name to make a debut in the controversial new sport headed up by UFC boss Dana White. Paige VanZant called on husband Austin Vanderford to help her Power Slap preparationsCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantVanZant got smacked with a foam tubeCredit: Instagram @paigevanzantShe won her Power Slap debutCredit: Power Slap The American went on to beat Christine Wolmarans by dropping her twice during the contest. And it appears that it will not be a one-off as VanZant teased more Power Slap matches. The ex-UFC star posted a video on Instagram where partner Vanderford swings a foam swimming tube her way. She captioned the post: “@powerslap prep.”READ MORE ON Paige VanZantVanZant stunned fans in 2020 when she signed for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship after leaving the UFC.She had two brutal bare-knuckle bouts – losing them both – before taking three years out.But VanZant, 30, returned in May to make her boxing debut with Misfits, home to celebrity-style crossover bouts.She was dropped by OnlyFans star Elle Brooke before clawing back a draw.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIt set up a rematch teased but VanZant then made the shock move to Power Slap. She said after the match: “It was weird to stand there with your hands behind your back and I just stood there praying, let me eat this. Watch ex-UFC star Paige VanZant soak up the pain in brutal Power Slap debut win “Once I took the first one, I had all the confidence in the world.“I was nervous going into it, but it’s more like just nerves that I don’t want to get knocked out. Because you just don’t know what to expect. That’s the only real bad-case scenario that can happen. “After I took the first one, I pretty much knew I was going to win.”VanZant left the UFC in 2020Credit: InstagramShe runs an OnlyFans account along with her fight careerCredit: Instagram @paigevanzant More

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      UFC star Conor McGregor wins stunning Euros and Copa America bets worth over $2MILLION on his birthday

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      CONOR MCGREGOR won a whopping $1MILLION thanks to Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.The UFC superstar placed several wagers during the tournament, including a hefty bet on Cristiano Ronaldo to finish as Euro 2024’s top goalscorer.Conor McGregor has placed several big wagers on Euro 2024Credit: INSTAGRAM@THENOTORIOUSMMAThe Notorious placed a hefty bet on Spain to win the tournamentCredit: REXMcGregor pocketed a cool £1million thanks to Spain’s win over EnglandCredit: X@THENOTORIOUSMMAThe Irishman placed a whopping $83,000 bet on La Roja to win the tournament, which came in on Sunday night when Luis del la Fuente’s troops beat England 2-1.Serial better McGregor revealed his successful bet slip on social media, writing on Instagram: “Vamos Spain!”Easy money on the Spaniards to win the Euros on my birthday! A nice mil for The Mac!”McGregor’s already huge bank account received another major cash injection a few hours later when Argentina beat Colombia in the Copa America final.READ MROE ON MCGREGORThe Notorious staked a whopping $281,807 on Lionel Messi to guide his troops to glory at odds of 7/1.And the 2022 World Cup winners’ extra-time victory over their South American rivals banked the MMA mogul another cool million.McGregor’s insane winnings came on his 36th birthday, which he’s currently celebrating in Spain.The Irishman was due to make his octagon return last month in the main event of UFC 303 in Las Vegas.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInside McGregor’s Notorious lifestyleWith more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor’s rise has been an enthralling watch.But his comeback clash with Michael Chandler was cancelled after he suffered a broken left pinky toe in one of his final sparring sessions before jetting out to Sin City.The UFC’s first-ever simultaneous two-weight world champion was left devastated by his withdrawal from his comeback clash.Conor McGregor is a diva and a coward – he knows fighting me would be playing with his life, claims Jorge MasvidalHe told SevereMMA: “August, September, I’d love [that]. I’m in recovery mode.”It’s three weeks to the day, it happened three weeks ago today. I’m still here rocking around in the slippers.”They’re not bad slippers, thankfully and they’re cosy enough but I can’t get into a shoe yet.”They put stem cells in my foot.”They came and took it from the back and put it in my foot, 20 mg of stem cells out of my own back, from the bone marrow in and right into the break.“My f***ing toe is sore and I don’t know if the stem cells into the break was the right move.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because you know the way chicks put the filler in their face: my f***ing baby toe looks like that.”I don’t think it’s the swelling anymore. I think it’s just the stem cells in my toe.”Conor McGregor was due to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 last monthCredit: GETTY More

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      Watch stunning SIX SECOND knockout in brutal bare-knuckle boxing fight leaving UFC legend Conor McGregor in awe

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      CONOR McGREGOR was left in awe following a SIX SECOND bare-knuckle boxing knockout. McGregor – famed for his legendary KOs in the UFC octagon – is now a part-owner of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Ruben Warr’s six second KO of Robbie PeraltaWarr was KOd with the first combo thrownHe is regularly promoting BKFC events and highlighting their biggest moments. And there was potentially not a more sensational moment than Ruben Warr’s six second KO of Robbie Peralta.Peralta – formerly of the UFC – rushes towards Warr but he is met with a two-punch combination. The resulting right hand dropped Peralta immediately to the canvas. READ MORE IN MMAMcGregor, 35, posted the KO and captioned it: “6 Second KO in our@bareknucklefc main event last night! “Our combatants do not start in the traditional red and blue corners before the bell rings they stand right in front of each other in the center of the ring! “Behind enemy line, accuracy is final!” McGregor was not the only one shocked as one fan said: “Oh wow f***ing hell.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAnother added: “Holy f***ing smokes.”McGregor teamed up with BKFC boss David Feldman to help promote the company – with a shock bare-knuckle debut not ruled out. The Irishman is currently nursing a toe injury that forced him out of his UFC return against Michael Chandler, 38, on June 29. A rescheduled date is yet to be confirmed as father-of-four-McGregor took a family holiday to Majorca with fiancee Dee Devlin.McGregor took a family holiday to MajorcaCredit: Instagram / @thenotoriousmma More

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      Watch as Nate Diaz has entire room laughing with two-word response to winning Conor McGregor £1.2million

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      NATE DIAZ had the room in laughter with his two-word response to winning Conor McGregor £1.2million. The pair share one of the most iconic UFC rivalries of all time, with the score tied at one apiece after their classic two-fight series.Nate Diaz responding to Conor McGregor winning £1.2m for betting on himThe pair share one of the most iconic UFC rivalries of all timeCredit: Getty – ContributorBut despite the bad blood, McGregor still backed Diaz to beat Jorge Masvidal in their boxing rematch. The Irishman lumped on £390,000 and won back £1.2m after Diaz beat Masvidal on points.Diaz was told about McGregor’s wager and subsequent winnings at the press conference but he just replied: “That’s cool.” Laughter broke out in the room as McGregor later posted: “I make ya so much money you can swim in it!” READ MORE ON UFCDiaz, 39, famously became the first to beat McGregor, 35, in the UFC with a submission win in March 2016. But he lost the rematch five years later and a trilogy bout has since failed to materialise.Meanwhile, Diaz has crossed over to boxing and lost his debut to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in August 2023,But he bounced back with victory over Masvidal, 39, who had won their initial 2019 fight.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn the aftermath, Diaz called out Paul, 27, to a rematch as well as UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, 32, who beat him in 2021. Diaz said: “I’m gonna beat Jake Paul’s f***ing ass. I’m down to fight the highest-ranked boxer that I can find.Nate Diaz calls out Jake Paul to rematch after beating Jorge Masvidal”My main objective has always been to be the best fighter in the world so I want to go back and get the UFC title.”Leon Edwards, Jake Paul and anybody the f*** else, you’re dead.”Jorge Masvidal was beaten by Nate Diaz in their boxing rematchCredit: Getty More

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      Anthony Joshua tips Alex Pereira to begin new career in boxing leaving UFC champion ‘honoured’

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA left Alex Pereira “honoured” after backing the UFC champion to make a go of it in boxing.Pereira has established himself as one of the top MMA stars since crossing over from kickboxing.Anthony Joshua backed Alex Pereira to make a go of it in boxingCredit: ReutersPereira was left ‘honoured’ by AJ’s commentCredit: GettyHe has won UFC titles at middleweight and light-heavyweight and teased a move to heavyweight to become the first three-division champ. But AJ – who knocked out Francis Ngannou in his last bout – believes Pereira has got what it takes to make another switch to boxing. He posted: “Alex Pereira should make a boxing debut one day.”Pereira replied: “I’m honored you think so. It’s always been my dream, I’m 37… I cannot make a career in it, so who do you recommend I fight?”READ MORE IN BOXINGAnd Joshua, with his business hat on, advised: “The options are endless champ. I am sure something can be done. Drop @258mgt a line.”Pereira has one of the most deadly left hooks in MMA and has sparred top boxers already. Footage has shown him in the ring with 2016 American Olympian Khalil Coe, 27, and 22–1 Aussie heavyweight Demsey McKean, 33. Several MMA stars have crossed over to boxing for mega-money bouts.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNgannou, 37, walked out on the UFC to pursue boxing and strolled into huge fights with Tyson Fury and Joshua. He floored Fury, 35, on the way to a controversial decision loss before being KO’d by Joshua, 34, in March. Carl Froch adds fuel to fire of Anthony Joshua feud with big claim and says Daniel Dubois fight could be his lastAJ now challenges Daniel Dubois, 26, for the IBF title on September 21 at Wembley.Meanwhile, Pereira stopped Jiri Prochazka, 31, in two rounds at UFC 303 after filling in on two weeks’ notice after Conor McGregor, 35, pulled out through injury. More

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      I walked away from pro MMA career to become Conor McGregor’s photographer… now he’s helping me make Misfits Boxing debut

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      PHOTOGRAPHER Dave Fogarty was picturing a career in professional MMA – until Conor McGregor came calling. The Irishman was an amateur champion with World and European medals to his name. Photographer Dave Fogarty with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram Fogarty training for his boxing debutCredit: Instagram And while training to be a fighter, he picked up the camera as a hobby to do while out the gym and snapped in local Irish shows. That is how he was introduced to McGregor – who later became his boss after the UFC icon offered him a job as his personal photographer. Fogarty, 34, told SunSport: “I definitely could’ve turned pro. “It was definitely on the cards and something I thought about but when my amateur career had come to an end is when I started working full time for Conor.READ MORE IN BOXING“The time commitment working with Conor wouldn’t work with the full time commitment of doing pro MMA. “So I obviously chose to continue working with Conor.”Despite walking away from a fight career, Fogarty has never left MMA. That is because he is on call 24/7 with McGregor, meaning he is always in the gym and around the world’s biggest fights. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFogarty is among McGregor’s most trusted confidants. The talented snapper is part of McGregor’s core team who travel around the world with him.Watch disgusting moment Conor McGregor dislocates then resets his toe in training as injury sees him pull out of UFC 303Fogarty joins nutritionist Tristan Kennedy and strength coach Julian Dalby along with a padman and masseuse wherever McGregor goes. He said: “The man doesn’t take holidays, he doesn’t take vacations. He’s always doing something, when he’s away, the team is always away with him. “Like he says, there’s a gym on the yacht. Even if he’s on his yacht, he’s still training. He trains all year round. It’s great to be surrounded by that.” Fogarty – who has continued to train since his last MMA bout in 2017 – has captured McGregor’s meteoric rise through his lens. He revealed: “It’s mad. When you step back and see what it must be like for him. “Because when all that stuff is happening, I’m just in work mode making sure I get the pictures and have it covered.  “So to step back and see that’s what he does, day in and day out. That’s his life, it’s crazy. Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss.Conor McGregor’s photographer Dave Fogarty “It becomes normal until you step back and realise that it isn’t normal.” Fogarty teased that an upcoming project he worked on with McGregor is due to be released soon. And he opened up on how his close friend can just as quickly flip to strict boss at any moment. He said: “Conor wears different hats. You can be around him sometimes and he’s Conor, your friend and you’re having a buzz. “And then, when it’s time to get to work and he becomes the boss there’s times when I’m taking pictures and it hasn’t been his vision. “And, he’s told me about it. He’s let me know, that’s when it’s Conor the boss. “But there’s times when he loves the pictures and we’re having a buzz. “There’s times where he’s Conor McGregor, head of McGregor Sports & Entertainment or Claymore Productions.’I’ve soaked it all in’“I don’t want people telling me all the time my pictures are great, they’re not always great, no one’s are. “I think it’s important to have that relationship.” Fogarty will now call on McGregor’s expertise as he prepares to make his fight return – this time in the boxing ring. He has signed to Misfits Boxing – home to celebrity-style crossover bouts – and faces their lightweight champion Deen the Great on August 31 in Dublin. Fogarty will be coached by McGregor’s first ever trainer, Irish boxing great Phil Sutcliffe. When travelling with McGregor, he will work under the same coaches and recovery team hired by the UFC legend. He will then jet back to do his sparring under the watchful eye of two-time Olympian Sutcliffe. Fogarty does not rule out McGregor coming to support on the night and will make use of everything he has learned over the years while observing his boss. He is now preparing to make his boxing debutCredit: @ginger_beard_photosHe said: “I’ve soaked it all in. I’ve structured my training camp the exact same way I’ve seen Conor structure his. That’s where I’ve got the blueprint from. “It’s a very precise, measured and calculated way of doing it and it’s the optimal way of doing it. “Obviously, being around Conor and seeing how he’s done it is the way I’ll do it. He’s one of the best minds in combat sports history. “He’s a phenomenal coach, you saw on The Ultimate Fighter how dedicated he is to it, how dedicated and enthusiastic he is. “I’ve taken in so much from him, being around and seeing how he puts his training camps together. “It’s been a huge inspiration to how I’m going to do this.”Fogarty will challenge for Deen’s lightweight belt and prepares to take on a brash-talking unbeaten American. He said: “I’ve said it from the start, He is good. I’m not going to take anything away from him or discredit him. READ MORE SUN STORIES“He is a good fighter, a bit of a mouth, bit arrogant and cocky, but look, he is a good boxer. He’s got power in both hands, moves his head well, moves his feet well. “So I think it’s a big challenge and the hardest fight in the division being the champion. But I’m here for big fights and big opportunities.” Fogarty at the famed Crumlin Boxing ClubCredit: Instagram More