The UFC says it is “troubled” by the actions of fighter Mike Perry, who was involved in a physical altercation at a bar this week that was caught on video in which he also yelled racial slurs.
In a statement Thursday, the UFC said Perry has apologized and “committed to immediately seek professional treatment, including substance and behavioral counseling,” after a video that showed Perry punching a man at a Texas restaurant surfaced online Wednesday night.
The UFC will not be offering Perry his next bout at this time. Perry, his team and the UFC have “agreed to evaluate next steps for Perry following the completion of his treatment program,” the promotion’s statement said.
No arrest has been made, and no charges have been filed, though the Lubbock Police Department is investigating Perry for one count of misdemeanor assault. According to the incident report obtained by ESPN, Perry is accused of striking multiple people at Lubbock establishment Table 82 on Tuesday night.
A video of Perry dropping an older man with a punch surfaced Wednesday night on social media. In the aftermath of the skirmish, Perry could be heard yelling racial slurs.
“UFC is aware and troubled by the video that was released last night concerning Mike Perry,” the UFC’s statement read. “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.”
According to the incident report, the situation started prior to Perry punching the man. Perry was at the establishment with his girlfriend, Latory Gonzalez, who cornered Perry in his most recent fight. Another male patron of the restaurant told police he got into a verbal altercation with Perry and challenged him to a fight. The male patron said one of Gonzalez’s friends got in between them, and Perry reached around her and slapped him in the face.
The Table 82 general manager told cops that Perry hit the male patron, hit Gonzalez’s friend and then struck another man who had left the scene. The general manager said he approached Perry while attempting to step in, because Perry had “attempted to fight everyone in the restaurant.” The general manager said Perry punched him on the left side of the face.
When officers arrived at the scene, they observed the older man, whom Perry could be seen hitting in the video, on the ground, being tended to by the man’s wife. The older man was transported to Covenant Medical Center, per the incident report. The officer went to interview him there, and initially the man had no recollection of the incident. After a few minutes, the man told the officer he recalled following Perry and telling him he saw him hit the general manager, but he did not remember anything after that.
Perry told police that he was attempting to leave the restaurant when people put their hands on him. Perry said the older man grabbed at his face and shirt, so he struck him in retaliation. The incident began earlier, Perry said, when the male patron made a comment about Gonzalez. Perry said he didn’t strike the man, nor Gonzalez’s female friend. He said he was trying to grab the female friend by the wrist, because she was clawing at him. Perry said he grabbed the male patron’s wrist instead.
Perry said the male patron pushed his face, so he pushed the male patron’s face back. The general manager came and put his hand on Perry’s shoulder, Perry said. Perry said he pushed the general manager’s face, too, and told everyone not to touch him.
Perry and his team both issued “no comment” statements Wednesday night after the video made the rounds on social media.
Perry (14-6), a Florida resident, last fought at UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Hooker on June 27, defeating Mickey Gall. The fight drew scrutiny because Perry had no coaches in his corner. His lone corner person was Gonzalez. The victory over Gall snapped a two-fight losing streak.
Perry, 28, has been open about his brushes with the law in the past, including spending six months in a Florida jail for a probation violation. Perry was on probation on a burglary charge in 2014 when he violated the probation with a battery arrest, according to court records.