Frankie Edgar is making a return combat sports, but not everyone close to him is happy about it.
The former UFC lightweight champion will fight Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82 on October 4. The bout takes place at Newark’s Prudential Center, a short drive from Edgar’s hometown of Toms River, New Jersey.
The 43-year-old retired from the UFC in 2022 after three straight knockout losses. His final Octagon appearance came against Chris Gutierrez at Madison Square Garden, where he was stopped in the opening round.
Edgar admitted his comeback has caused friction. “My close family definitely was against it,” Edgar told MMAjunkie.com.
“For sure, my wife, my kids, my parents, but I talked them into it, I guess you could say. At least enough for me to get the OK. I don’t know if I got their blessing, but I got the OK.
“They think I don’t need it. I don’t need to do this. I’m not searching for pennies or anything under the couch.It’s not that I need it. They get who I am.
“My wife knew what she got into when she signed up for this a while back. She knows the kind of person I am, and I’m sure this is not too surprising for her.”
Frankie Edgar makes MMA return
Edgar explained that timing and opportunity drove his decision. “It was the perfect storm,” he told TMZ Sports. “First time [BKFC] were gonna be in Jersey at the Prudential Center. They reached out.
“My body just happens to be feeling pretty good right now. The money was good, and I got that itch. Let’s chase glory one more time here.”
Since leaving the UFC, Edgar has remained active in his community. He opened a jiu-jitsu school and a Muay Thai MMA academy in Toms River.
“I’m on the mats every day,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve been boxing training, but old habits die hard, so I’m right back to it. And I feel like I haven’t missed a beat.”
Edgar’s legacy is already secure. He won the UFC lightweight title in 2010 by upsetting B.J. Penn, then defended it against Penn again later that year.
His trilogy with Gray Maynard produced two classics, including a comeback knockout in 2011 that remains one of his career highlights.
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