MIKE Perry is a popular but controversial figure in the MMA world, having been criticized for racist and homophobic comments in the past.
And even his choice of coaching staff is controversial – he has already appointed two girlfriends as assistants, including his now wife, Latory Gonzalez.
Who is Mike Perry’s girlfriend Latory Gonzalez?
Mike Perry fired all of his coaches before UFC Vegas 4, and only had one person by his side when he faced Mickey Gall on June 27, 2020 – his beautiful girlfriend Latory Gonzalez.
She was raised in Lubbock, Texas, where she wrestled in high school, trained in boxing, and attended Lubbock Christian University.
The welterweight did not expect to receive instructions from her between rounds during the fight, going so far as to tell Gonzalez to simply “sit there and enjoy the show.”
Before the match, Perry explained: “I’m going to have a coach by my side, but it’s my girlfriend.
“She’s just going to be there to make me feel good and make me look good.
“If it goes to the second round, it’s because I want to give her time to talk to me in the corner. I want her to kiss me and tell me to ‘go get him’.”
He added: “As we get closer, I see that little sparkle in her eyes, like I’m doing something impressive, and it just gives me more fire.
“On Saturday I will fight for her in front of her and not let anyone take anything from me.”
The unorthodox move paid off, as Perry won a unanimous decision, bouncing back from consecutive losses.
The fighter hailed Gonzalez as her “queen” after she cornered him to victory against Gall.
Perry told ESPN after the fight with Gall that — despite only being with Gonzalez for a few months — he had asked her years before if she would corner him.
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, Gonzalez gave birth to the couple’s son, whom they named Ocean.
The couple tied the knot in July 2023, with the UFC legend posting on Instagram: “What a beautiful time, just the beginning!
“I love my wife @latoryperry, thankful for all our friends and family who came out to support us!
[Jon Jones] grabbed my hand and put our hands together and I took [Latory] got up and gave him a hug and said, ‘Let’s get out of here’
Mike Perry
How did Mike Perry and Latory Gonzalez meet?
Gonzalez began dating Perry in 2020 following his divorce from Danielle Nickerson.
Perry credited UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones for introducing him to Gonzalez.
He said CBS Sports: “So I walked in and Jon Jones saw me and smiled.
“He looked to his right and saw Latory and grabbed her hand and grabbed mine.
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“He might have grabbed mine first; that makes me feel better [if I say] he grabbed mine first.
“He grabbed my hand and put our hands together and I picked her up and gave her a hug and said, ‘Let’s get out of here.'”
Who was Mike Perry with before Latory Gonzalez?
Perry’s ex-wife is professional tennis player Danielle Nickerson.
Perry can be seen fighting her in a video he released in January 2019 called ‘Platinum Punishment’.
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Although he was holding the spar lightly, Perry lowered Nickerson while hitting her head and body.
Near the end of the clip, Perry landed a left hook to his body.
The UFC star’s then-wife retreated before admitting defeat and throwing a knee.
In a good mood, Nickerson got up and hugged her husband before giving him a kiss at the end of the sparring session.
Perry congratulated her by saying, “Good job – give me some love.”
This wasn’t the first time Nickerson was involved with Perry’s training — she prepared the welterweight’s meals during his fight camp.
Perry has also made headlines before when he had Nickerson ringside as his corner in a series of fights before they got married.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
