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DENVER – When Mike Perry showed up for a media day sporting a Conor McGregor-inspired “(expletive) you” T-shirt, the message was pretty clear.

“(Expletive) ‘Cowboy’ – that’s the meaning behind it,” Perry told reporters, including MMAjunkie, ahead of his UFC Fight Night 139 meeting with Donald Cerrone.

To those who have followed Perry’s (11-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) unique UFC run this far, neither the shirt nor its message come as a big surprise. The outspoken welterweight has never shied away from wreaking a little havoc with his competition, and no one expected Cerrone (33-11 MMA, 20-8 UFC) to come out unscathed.

For Perry, the “mental warfare” is on, and there shall be no love between the two until after their Saturday encounter, which will serve as the FS1-televised co-headliner for the event at Pepsi Center.

“Over the next couple of days, he’s going to get a lot more uncomfortable,” Perry said. “And I’m going to get in his face every chance I get.”

OK, we – Cerrone included – get it. The situation requires a certain attitude from Perry. But, even amid talks of ripped-apart faces and beautiful deaths, not to mention the entire Jackson Wink situation, Perry has no problem admitting that he actually likes Cerrone.

“There’s not love until Sunday, and I don’t think he’ll want to be friends after Sunday,” Perry said. “I love him, though. I love ‘Cowboy.’ He’s such an iconic figure in this sport. And it really is an opportunity, ‘Platinum’ vs. ‘Cowboy,’ 25 years of fighting. This is huge. But we’ve got to be 25 years of fighting, right? We’ve got to be mean, angry and aggressive. We’ve got to talk a little (expletive).”

A historic night for the UFC, which is hosting its 25th anniversary, will also carry historic, record-breaking implications for Cerrone.

By entering the UFC cage for a 30th time, he’ll be un-tying the record he now shares with Michael Bisping and Jeremy Stephens. And if he wins, he’ll also take the lead for most octagon victories – un-tying the race with former UFC champions Bisping and Georges St-Pierre.

Asked whether Perry sees his opponent in the same light as legends like the ex-champs, Perry responded promptly.

“Absolutely,” Perry said. “I’m turned all the way up for this, man. This is the best Cowboy I’m ever going to see.”

But then again?

“It’s the best ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry the world has ever seen,” Perry said. “And that’s all you’re going to need. I’m going to take over the show. I’m going to do what I’ve got to do. And I’m going to get that knockout win. I’m going to get that $50,000 bonus. And the only record he’s going to break is the most walks. That’s the only record that he’s going to break.”

To hear from Perry, check out the video above.

And for more on UFC Fight Night 139, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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