Mike Perry wants Robbie Lawler at UFC 245, gives update on nose injury

TAMPA, Fla. – The last time Mike Perry was seen inside the cage was in August. His nose was flat, broken, and bleeding profusely – injuries suffered at the hands of Vicente Luque at UFC on ESPN+ 14.

Nine weeks later, Perry says his nose is feeling much better. Backstage at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 19, Perry updated reporters on the injury and who he would like to face in his return fight.

“It’s a little loud when I use it, but I don’t really use it too often,” Perry told MMA Junkie in regards to his nose. “I just hold my breath and swing real hard, and they usually disperse. They either get out the way or they run real fast. So we’ll see. I’m good though. I’m ready to fight.

“I’ve been training, been sparring, working, ready to fight anybody, anytime. I’ll fight right now tonight; let’s go.”

While he repeatedly stated he’s “down to fight anywhere, anytime,” Perry seemed particularly fired up about one prospective venture.

As MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn reported earlier this week, Santiago Ponzinibbio is out of his UFC 245 contest against Robbie Lawler. With a potential void in need of filling, Perry (13-5 MMA, 6-5 UFC) hopes Lawler (28-14 MMA, 14-10 UFC) is as interested in the fight as he is.

“If Robbie Lawler would grace me with his name on a contract, let’s go bro,” Perry said. “Let’s put on a show. We’re going to put on a show. None of that wrestling (expletive).

“I might mix it up on you. I might try to change levels, shoot a single leg, take you down, punch you a little bit. Punch you, get you disoriented. Or I might hold tight and box. Who am I? Who am I to be accepted from a guy like that?”

Juggling a number of callouts directed towards him, Perry said he understands if Lawler doesn’t want the fight. In a day and age where callouts are popular, Perry knows it’s impossible to entertain them all.

“I just been calling him out,” Perry said. “People call me out. You just can’t accept every fight offer from everybody. I bet a lot of people in this arena would fight me today. They think they would have a chance, but I could probably fight ten of them at one time. Let’s do it though.”

“Robbie, let’s (expletive) go, bro. Let’s show these people how to fight. You’ve been slacking, and I’m unlucky in that I get the best versions of the best dudes.”

Before Perry steps in the cage with anyone, he’ll have to get medically cleared by doctors. When he initially suffered the nasal fracture, Perry said doctors told him he was looking at a six-week timetable. Since week three, Perry has been back in the gym.

“I haven’t spoke to doctors yet,” Perry said. “I’ve just been training. Been working. One doctor actually right after checked me with a camera and stuff. He was like, ‘Oh you’re still swollen.’ But that was a week or two after. He said six weeks.

“It’s been about eight or nine since the fight. I’ve been back to work since like week three or four because I’m impatient. So anytime, bro. Like I said, I’m always working.”

Check out Mike Perry’s full UFC on ESPN+ 19 scrum in the video above.