Rockhold-Perry, Alvarez-Mendes set for BKFC 41
Two former UFC champions are headed to bare-knuckle fighting.
Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez signed with Bare Knuckle FC, promotion president Dave Feldman announced Wednesday on "The MMA Hour."
Rockhold is set to meet former UFC welterweight Mike Perry in the BKFC 41 main event on April 29, while Alvarez will take on ex-UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes in the co-feature. The event is scheduled to take place in Broomfield, Colorado, and will be a pay-per-view costing $49.99.
Rockhold-Perry will take place at 185 pounds, while Alvarez-Mendes is contracted for 165 pounds.
Both Rockhold and Alvarez will also be allowed to compete in MMA and boxing, Feldman said.
Rockhold was granted his UFC release in January and announced he planned to return to combat sports competition after hinting at retirement last August when he lost to Paulo Costa. The 38-year-old was the UFC middleweight champion from 2015-16.
Alvarez, a former UFC lightweight titleholder, parted ways with ONE Championship in September following a four-fight run with the Asia-based promotion.
Perry and Mendes are undefeated - 2-0 and 1-0, respectively - in BKFC after joining the promotion in 2021. Perry is coming off a majority decision win over Bellator contender Michael "Venom" Page last August, while Mendes finished Joshuah Alvarez in his February 2022 debut.