Frankie Edgar stated he was accomplished preventing. However the name of fight pulled him again in.
Subsequent month, Edgar will finish his three-year retirement from fight sports activities when he takes on Jimmie Rivera within the featured bout at BKFC 82 in Newark, NJ. The UFC Corridor of Famer ended his MMA profession on a three-fight shedding streak in 2022; nevertheless, when BKFC confirmed up in his yard, the New Jersey native couldn’t resist attempting out a special fight sport he’s grown keen on.
“We’re in Jersey. You guys got here right here. It’s arduous to move up,” Edgar stated on the BKFC 82 press convention on Thursday. “As quickly as I noticed this sport I used to be very intrigued. I’m a fighter. That is positively the fightiest of all fight sports activities, what I imply? I needed to attempt it out. Why not do it right here?”
Regardless of his many accomplishments, Edgar ended his profession on a troublesome run, getting knocked out three consecutive instances, the final one being by Chris Gutierrez at UFC 281 in what was speculated to be his retirement struggle. However now Edgar says he’s feeling good once more and able to attempt one thing new.
“It’s intriguing,” Edgar stated. “I used to struggle free of charge at Seaside with no gloves, so why not receives a commission to do it right here in Newark? Coaching has been superior. Coaching only for boxing, I imply, my neck feels nice. Nobody is hanging on my neck, my shoulders really feel nice. It’s wonderful.”
A former collegiate wrestler, Edgar had a 36-fight MMA profession highlighted by claiming the UFC light-weight title and defending it 3 times. “The Reply” additionally challenged for the featherweight title 3 times and even competed at bantamweight. He was inducted into the UFC Corridor of Fame in 2024.
At 43 years previous, Edgar doubtless doesn’t have a protracted run in BKFC forward of him, one thing even he acknowledges, contemplating he already is meant to be retired. For Edgar, he’s taking this a part of his profession at some point at a time.
“I stated I’d by no means struggle once more, and right here I’m,” Edgar stated. “So who’s going to take me for my phrase actually? Let’s see how this primary one goes and we’ll take it from there.”
BKFC 82 is headlined by a “King of Violence” title struggle between Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens.
