In a surprising revelation, former UFC star Mike Perry has revealed that he lost a staggering $50,000 bet on Paulo Costa, a fellow UFC middleweight, in his recent bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 302.
Perry, known for his outspoken and confident personality, took to social media to explain his reasoning behind the large wager. “My name is on this large bet. It’s a crazy bet because people are like, ‘Oh, Sean Strickland whooped on Adesanya’ and I went with Paulo, and there were reasons,” Perry said.
One of the primary reasons Perry cited for placing the bet was his positive interactions with Costa. “Paulo has been super cool and super cash. Yes, he’s dipped into the podcast a couple of times,” Perry said, referring to Costa’s appearances on his podcast. Perry also praised Costa’s physical appearance, saying, “Look at the guy. Paulo looks incredible.”
Perry’s decision to back Costa was also influenced by his perceived differences between Costa and Strickland. “Sean’s just that old guy who can [do] some stuff,” Perry said, implying that Strickland was past his prime.
Despite Perry’s confidence in Costa, Strickland went on to dominate the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory. The loss was a costly one for Perry, who admitted to losing the substantial sum of $50,000.
“IM GOING TO LEAVE HIS DICK IN THE DIRT” – Fight Week Strickland
actual Strickland performances: #UFC302 pic.twitter.com/IyNxejeTX2
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 2, 2024
While Perry was quick to praise Costa’s physique, he was also critical of Strickland, labeling him a “bitch” and saying that he “says a lot of crazy stuff.” However, Perry also acknowledged that Strickland’s unapologetic attitude and propensity for speaking his mind resonated with him, stating, “I don’t disagree with a lot of the shit that he says.”
The revelation of Perry’s significant loss has sparked a lively debate within the MMA community, with many fans and pundits questioning his decision to back Costa. Regardless, Perry’s candid admission of his misstep serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of combat sports and the risks involved in betting on high-stakes fights.
In the end, Perry’s gamble on Costa proved costly, but it has also provided a valuable lesson in the importance of caution and humility in the world of sports betting.
