Mike Perry’s ex-wife says UFC fighter threatened physical harm in failed restraining order attempt
Mike Perry’s ex-wife sought a protective order against the UFC welterweight earlier this year but was denied after she “failed to allege facts sufficient,” according to court records obtained by MMA Junkie.
Danielle Nickerson petitioned for an injunction for protection against domestic violence in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida shortly before she filed for divorce from Perry. But on March 4, she was denied by circuit Judge Alice L. Blackwell.
In three written statements, Nickerson, 28, accused Perry, 28, of disturbing behavior and alleged that he made threats against her, though she never claimed that he physically harmed her. Nickerson’s statements read as follows:
- On February 8, 2020, unknown location: “Michael Perry, my husband, verbally threatened if I were to stay at the house he would ‘beat my ass.’”
- On February 8, 2020, unknown location: “Michael Perry, my husband, followed me to the house highly intoxicated screaming at his mother to have me come outside. When we both refused he said, ‘Well then I’ll go home and burn the house down with the dogs in it.’ Police pulled him over in the neighborhood after he peeled out in the house’s grass yard.”
- On March 3, 2020, Rachel’s Strip Club in Orlando: “Michael Perry, my husband, was under the influence of heavy alcohol and unknown drugs, was caught cheating, stated he paid to have ‘Brooke suck his (expletive)’ in the private room. Told me to ‘file the papers, (expletive). I want a divorce.’”
Blackwell ruled against Nickerson and stated the following in a signed order: “Under Florida law, general relationship problems and uncivil behavior are not domestic violence. … Verbal threats, without more, are not domestic violence.”
Nickerson, who cornered some of Perry’s fights during their relationship, said Monday night on Instagram that she’s “done being silent” about her ex-husband and is “ready to be brave and tell the truth. She did not immediately respond to MMA Junkie’s request for an interview.
When reached by MMA Junkie on Monday night, Perry’s manager, Abe Kawa of First Round Management, declined to comment.
Nickerson’s allegations come to light at a time when Perry’s well being has been called into question. Earlier this month, Perry informed the UFC that he would seek professional treatment for alcohol dependency after a disturbing video showed him punching out a restaurant employee during a heated altercation in Texas. A police report was filed, but no arrests were made.
Prior to the incident, Perry raised eyebrows heading into his June 27 fight at UFC on ESPN 12 when he announced that he’d have no coaches in his corner, only his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez. Perry went on to defeat Mickey Gall by unanimous decision in what’s been his only bout of the year.
In light of Perry’s recent behavior, UFC president Dana White said “he obviously needs some help.” The UFC has said it will not offer Perry a fight until he’s evaluated after the completion of his treatment program.
Mike Perry’s ex-wife says UFC fighter threatened physical harm in failed restraining order attempt
