After nearly three years away from competition, Frankie Edgar is officially coming out of retirement to enter the world of bare-knuckle fighting. The former UFC champion will make his BKFC debut on October 4, when he squares off against fellow veteran Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82 in Newark, New Jersey.
The New Jersey native last fought inside the Octagon at UFC 281, where he was stopped by Chris Gutierrez. That bout closed the book on a Hall of Fame career that saw Edgar claim the lightweight championship after a stunning upset over BJ Penn, followed by a rematch win at UFC 118. His trilogy against Gray Maynard remains one of the most legendary rivalries in lightweight history.
Edgar’s championship reign came to an end against Benson Henderson, but “The Answer” kept chasing greatness. He moved down to featherweight, challenging twice for the undisputed crown against Jose Aldo and once for the interim strap against Max Holloway. In 2020, he tested himself again at bantamweight, picking up a debut win before closing his career on a tough skid.
Now, at 43 years old, Edgar embraces a new challenge without gloves. Rivera, his opponent at BKFC 82, is no stranger to tough battles himself. The former UFC contender fought names like Pedro Munhoz in classics such as Munhoz vs. Rivera. He has since gone 2-2-1 in BKFC, making him a tough test for Edgar’s return.
The card will also feature heavy hitters, with Mike Perry defending his King of Violence title against Jeremy Stephens. For many fans, though, the spotlight will remain firmly on Frankie Edgar, a legend of the sport who refuses to let his fighting spirit fade.
