UFC legend Frankie Edgar has broken his silence on fighting again.
The former UFC Lightweight Champion shocked a lot of people when it was announced he’d be ending a near three-year retirement to fight with no gloves in BKFC.
Edgar left the sport of MMA in 2022 after a third-straight KO loss to Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281.
Many fans are concerned how the 43-year-old Edgar will fare in his return against a former top-five UFC bantamweight in Jimmie Rivera in his debut at BKFC 82 on Oct. 4 in Newark, New Jersey.
‘The Answer’ detailed why he’s coming out of retirement at the pre-fight press conference and whether or not he’s going to stick around.
‘I was very intrigued…’ Frankie Edgar couldn’t pass up BKFC in home state
Fighting out of Toms River, New Jersey, Edgar will be getting a home game at BKFC 82.
Edgar did just about all there was to do in his UFC career, having won and defended a UFC title, and competed across three weight classes in a 15-year run with the company.
Edgar’s next fight will be days away from his 44th birthday. Asked about the decision, the retired UFC Hall of Famer says he just couldn’t say no to BKFC, which has proven to be one of the most exciting sports promotions in the world with its fast-paced fights.
“We’re in Jersey, you guys came here. It’s hard to pass up,” Edgar said of his BKFC signing on Thursday.
“As soon as I saw this sport, I was very intrigued,” Edgar continued.
“I’m a fighter, this is definitely probably the ‘fightiest’ of all combat sports and I had to try it out, and why not do it here?”
“I used to fight for free in Seaside with no gloves, so why not get paid to do it here in North?”
Edgar was asked if his BKFC debut will be a one-off fight or if he’ll continue his career.
“I said I’d never fight again, here I am,” Edgar said.
“Who’s gonna take me for my word, really. We’ll see how this one goes,” Edgar added.
TUF 27 winner Mike Trizano books second BKFC fight
BKFC announced a new fight for their undercard.
‘The Ultimate Fighter 27’ winner and UFC veteran Mike Trizano is set to fight in his home state of New Jersey when he meets Phil Caracappa.
Trizano left the UFC with a winning record in 2022 and later signed to BKFC. The 33-year-old won his bareknuckle boxing debut earlier this year when he TKO’ed Louie Lopez in 62 seconds.
Trizano’s UFC release was controversial, as he was not re-signed off a spectacular first-round knockout of Seung Woo Choi at UFC 281. Trizano missed weight by 1.6 lbs for his final UFC fight at featherweight.