Frankie Edgar to make bare-knuckle debut vs Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82

Frankie Edgar, a UFC Hall of Famer and former lightweight champion, will end a three year retirement to make his bare knuckle boxing debut against Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82 on October 4 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Edgar, who turns 44 around the time of the fight, confirmed he has accepted the match and said his closest family members were initially opposed to the decision but have since given their reluctant approval.

Edgar told reporters that his wife, children and parents worried he did not need to return to prizefighting. He said he persuaded them to give him the okay, adding he was not fighting for financial necessity even though the pay made the opportunity attractive. At a recent press appearance he did not rule out further outings, saying he had previously announced retirement and been proven wrong.

The booking has reignited debate over safety and the growing trend of former MMA stars moving into alternative combat sports. Jeremy Stephens, a headline fighter on the BKFC 82 card, publicly warned Edgar that bare knuckle competition is more violent than modern MMA and urged friends to talk him out of the fight, saying participants risk serious injury....