The UFC has released a statement on the
situation involving fighter Mike Perry. More coming to ESPN.
pic.twitter.com/4aPffa7cfl— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi)
July 10, 2020
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your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the
ESPN app. A polarizing figure on the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster is now seeking
professional help, according to the promotion. On Thursday evening, the UFC put out a statement to ESPN,
where the Las Vegas-based company expressed its concern for
welterweight Mike Perry.
The UFC also wrote that Perry has sought professional treatment,
including counseling for substance abuse and his behavior. He will
not be given another fight until he goes through these
processes.
On Wednesday night, a
video surfaced of Perry appearing to get in a fight with
patrons at a restaurant in Lubbock, Texas. In addition to Perry
punching an older man, the video also shows “Platinum” shouting out
a slew of racial slurs when he was separated from the others.
According to
MMAFighting, the police report wrote that Perry assaulted three
individuals in this incident. Perry is to be charged with a
misdemeanor of Class A assault, but an arrest warrant has not been
issued.
TMZ added that the man Perry punched was hospitalized as a
result, and also that Perry also struck an employee when asked to
leave the restaurant.
Prior to his appearance at UFC on ESPN 12 in June, Perry displayed
an unusual behavior at Media Day, which drew
concerns from media members regarding Perry’s
health and well-being. Having left his team of Fusion X-Cel as
well as Jackson-Wink MMA prior to that, Perry opted to bring only
recent girlfriend Latory Gonzalez to the cage with him for his bout
with Mickey
Gall. Perry won the fight by decision, and in his post-fight
interview, lamented his debts and aired grievances with the U.S.
government.
The UFC’s full statement reads as follows:
“UFC is aware and troubled by the video that was released last
night concerning Mike Perry.
The conduct displayed by Perry is not reflective of that of our
organization. Perry apologized for his behavior and acknowledged he
was disappointed with himself that his actions may have reflected
poorly on UFC. He further acknowledged that he believes he has some
issues related to alcohol abuse and has informed UFC that he has
committed to immediately seek professional treatment, including
substance and behavioral counseling. At this time, UFC has informed
Perry that he will not be offered a bout, and the parties have
agreed to evaluate next steps for Perry following the completion of
his treatment program.”