Mike Perry Dismisses Nate Diaz Rematch Talk as August 29 Danis Fight Nears

Q: Could Mike Perry's quick dismissal of Nate Diaz actually be a calculated marketing ploy to drive up demand for a future rematch?

Yes—at least in part. Perry’s curt “Ate that” reply looks dismissive on the surface, but in combat sports, brief, taunting exchanges often serve a dual purpose: shutting down an opponent publicly while keeping the rivalry alive. The timing matters. Perry has a booked main event against Dillon Danis on Aug. 29 in Orlando, and both he and the promotion need attention on Duel Arena 1. By refusing to engage deeply with Diaz now, Perry avoids distracting from Danis while still reminding fans that the Diaz storyline is unresolved. That can help preserve a rematch as a future selling point rather than spend it too early. There is also a commercial logic. Perry just beat Diaz by second-round TKO in a high-profile MMA return after rebuilding his brand through BKFC, where he went 6-0 and became the symbolic “King of Violence.” Diaz remains a proven attraction with a large following and a habit of turning grudges into pay-per-view interest. Even a short social-media jab can keep that marketable tension active. That said, there is no hard evidence this was a carefully coordinated promotional tactic. It may simply reflect Perry’s personality: blunt, humorous and confident after a decisive win. Fighters often downplay rematch calls because they believe they already settled the issue. So the likeliest reading is that Perry is genuinely focused on Danis, but his dismissal also conveniently helps maintain intrigue around a Diaz rematch that could be lucrative later.

Q: Will fighting in a traditional ring rather than a cage give Dillon Danis the ultimate grappling edge over Mike Perry this August?

Not necessarily. A traditional ring could help Dillon Danis in specific grappling sequences, but it does not automatically give him a decisive edge over Mike Perry. The main reason is stylistic. Danis is the far more credentialed submission grappler, with a 3-0 MMA record built on quick finishes and a strong jiu-jitsu base. In a ring, however, there is no cage wall to pin an opponent against for prolonged clinch control, chain wrestling, or fence-assisted takedowns. That removes one of the most important tools many grapplers use in modern MMA. A ring’s ropes can still aid tie-ups and takedown setups, but they are less stable and often lead to resets. That matters because Perry’s danger is on the feet and in scrambles. He has been active, durable, and battle-tested, coming off a stoppage win over Nate Diaz and a 6-0 BKFC run. A ring may actually give Perry cleaner striking space than a cage in stretches, especially if Danis struggles to hold him in place without a fence. The ring can still benefit Danis if he gets early entries, forces Perry backward into the ropes, or drags the fight down before Perry settles. But calling it the “ultimate” grappling edge goes too far. The venue changes the geometry of the fight, not the underlying equation: Danis likely has the edge on the mat, while Perry remains the more proven and active all-around fighter entering August 29.

3 articles · Updated · MMA Sucka · Aug 8

Mike Perry answered Nate Diaz’s rematch push with a two-word X post — “Ate that” — brushing off a punch Diaz had highlighted from their May MMA bout.
The response came as Perry detailed his training for an August 29 welterweight headliner against Dillon Danis at Duel Arena 1 in Orlando, saying he had finished grappling work and physical therapy.
Perry stopped Diaz by second-round TKO in May at MVP MMA’s debut event, though some fans argued the finish owed heavily to Diaz’s scar tissue opening up.
The 34-year-old has not fought pro MMA regularly since leaving the UFC in 2021, but he built a 6-0 BKFC record and now has multiple potential rivals across MMA and bare-knuckle boxing.