Retired UFC champ Frankie Edgar books comeback fight at 43 against former top contender

Frankie Edgar is coming out of retirement.

A legendary career behind him, the former UFC Lightweight Champion had one of the worst exits from the sport when he lost three UFC fights in a row by brutal knockout.

‘The Answer’ Edgar retired at UFC 281 in 2022 after Chris Gutierrez knocked him out with a devastating knee in Madison Square Garden. This followed a front kick KO to Chito Vera and a flying knee KO to Cory Sandhagen, all of which took place in the same year.

Three years after retiring, Edgar will be fighting again just days before his 44th birthday.

READ MORE: BKFC president says two former UFC stars were in contention to face Mike Perry instead of Conor McGregor’s former rival

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesFrankie Edgar books BKFC debut same night as UFC 320Edgar has signed with Bareknuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC).

As first reported by Ariel Helwani, the 43-year-old Edgar will be making his bareknuckle boxing debut against former top-five UFC bantamweight Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82, pending approval from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.

Headlined by a ‘King of Violence’ battle between fellow UFC veterans Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens, BKFC 82 goes down on Oct. 4, which is the same night as UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2.

Edgar’s BKFC debut takes place in Newark, New Jersey, his home state.

This will be Edgar’s first fight outside of the UFC Octagon since 2006.

Breaking:

Frankie Edgar is coming out of retirement.

Edgar will make his BKFC debut on Oct. 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark versus Jimmie Rivera, per sources, pending New Jersey State Athletic Control Board approval. pic.twitter.com/T1EUla5p5E

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 19, 2025 View Tweet

Fans express concern for Frankie Edgar after BKFC signingEdgar turns 44 a couple of weeks after his next fight against Jimmie Rivera, who’s about eight years younger.

The experienced Rivera is 2-2-1 in BKFC, with his only losses being decisions to Jeremy Stephens and current featherweight champion Kai Stewart. Rivera was once 21-1 as a pro in MMA and nearly reached a title shot in the UFC’s bantamweight division in 2018.

Fans don’t like Edgar’s odds months out from the fight and want the 43-year-old to stay retired.

“I really hope Frankie is getting a massive bag because the KO’s he took at the end of his UFC run make me think this is a terrible idea,” Wade Plemmons wrote on X.

I really hope Frankie is getting a massive bag because the KO’s he took at the end of his UFC run make me think this is a terrible idea

— Wade Plemons (@WadePlem) August 19, 2025 View Tweet

“I’m no expert but this guy should stay retired.. Especially if he wants to fight without gloves,” another fan said of Edgar coming out of retirement.

“Can’t take another Frankie highlight reel loss,” another fan chimed in.