“The Answer” will not make his bare-knuckle debut. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion and Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar has been removed from BKFC 82 this weekend (Sat., Oct. 4, 2025) at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The 43-year-old was scheduled to face fellow ex-UFC contender and Elmwood Park police officer Jimmie Rivera, […]
“The Answer” will not make his bare-knuckle debut.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion and Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar has been removed from BKFC 82 this weekend (Sat., Oct. 4, 2025) at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The 43-year-old was scheduled to face fellow ex-UFC contender and Elmwood Park police officer Jimmie Rivera, but multiple sources confirmed to NJ.com that Edgar is officially off the card.
BKFC officials have not issued a statement, and Edgar has yet to publicly address the news. No reason was given for his removal.
Edgar had been training extensively for his return to combat sports, undergoing everything from an echocardiogram and stress test to MRI scans and bloodwork in order to receive clearance from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, per NJ.com.
Still, his comeback had raised concerns. Edgar closed out his storied UFC career with several brutal knockout losses — including flying knee and front-kick finishes — which left fans and pundits questioning whether bare-knuckle boxing was a wise move. Family and friends reportedly urged him not to fight again, though Edgar cited the lack of kicks and knees as a reason he felt comfortable competing under BKFC rules, especially in front of a home crowd.
While Edgar will not be competing this weekend, BKFC president David Feldman told Ariel Helwani he hopes to work with “The Answer” in the future.
In the meantime, Rivera will now face four-fight BKFC veteran Timmy Mason in the “Featured” bout at BKFC 82.
Check out the entire BKFC 82 card here.
Category: General Sports
