Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Frankie Edgar before his bout against Chris Gutierrez during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

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Former UFC Lightweight Champion Inks Deal With Conor McGregor’s BKFC!

Nov 12, 2022; New York, NY, USA; Frankie Edgar before his bout against Chris Gutierrez during UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

Combat sports careers don’t always end when fighters step away from the cage. Many former UFC stars struggle to find new challenges that match the excitement of competition. Some become coaches, others start businesses, but the truly restless ones keep looking for ways to test themselves in combat. Bare knuckle boxing has emerged as the perfect landing spot for these retired warriors who still have fire in their bellies. The sport strips away gloves and fancy techniques, leaving only raw power and heart.

Frankie Edgar built one of the most respected careers in UFC history during his 17 year run. The New Jersey native captured the lightweight championship and defended it successfully multiple times. He faced legends like BJ Penn, Gray Maynard, and Benson Henderson. These wars defined an entire generation of lightweight fighting. Edgar’s career finally ended in November 2022 after suffering three straight knockout losses, including a brutal finish by Chris Gutierrez that convinced him it was time to hang up the gloves. Most fighters would have called it quits permanently, but Edgar apparently wasn’t ready to stop throwing punches completely.

Frankie Edgar Joins Conor McGregor’s Growing BKFC Empire

Edgar has officially signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship for the promotion’s first ever card in New Jersey on October 4. BKFC gained significant mainstream attention when Conor McGregor became a part owner of the promotion in April 2024. McGregor’s involvement has transformed BKFC from a niche combat sport into a legitimate entertainment destination that attracts former UFC stars.

🚨 BREAKING: Frankie Edgar is coming out of retirement and will make his BKFC debut on October 4th against Jimmie Rivera

(per @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/l6krCLW2aO
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 19, 2025

Edgar will likely face fellow former UFC fighter Jimmie Rivera at the New Jersey debut card. Rivera has already found success in BKFC with a 2-2-1 record since making his own transition from MMA. The matchup makes perfect sense since both fighters competed in the same weight classes during their UFC careers. Rivera last competed in traditional MMA back in early 2021, so he’s had plenty of time to adjust to the bare knuckle boxing style.

The October 4 event holds special significance as BKFC’s first show in New Jersey, Edgar’s home state. The card will be headlined by a ‘King of Violence’ title bout between Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens, two former UFC veterans who have found new life in bare knuckle boxing.

Since retiring from MMA, he’s been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, opened his own gym, and started a successful podcast. This keeps him connected to the fight world. But apparently, none of those pursuits could scratch the competitive itch. This homecoming fight gives Edgar the chance to go out on his own terms in front of New Jersey fans who supported him throughout his legendary UFC career!

(Image Credit: Jessica Alcheh – Imagn Images)

BKFC

Conor McGregor

Frankie Edgar

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!