**Frankie Edgar Withdraws from BKFC 82 Due to Medical Concerns**
There has been a significant change to the upcoming Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) card. UFC Hall-of-Famer Frankie “The Answer” Edgar was slated to fight fellow UFC alum Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 82 on Saturday in New Jersey. However, Edgar will no longer participate in the bout due to medical concerns raised by the promotion’s officials.
Despite the change, the event will proceed as planned. Rivera will remain on the card but will now face Timmy Mason instead.
The card is headlined by two other former UFC fighters, Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens, adding to the night’s excitement.
### Is This the End for Frankie Edgar?
After a series of knockout losses during his UFC career, many are wondering if this last-minute medical withdrawal is the final sign for Edgar to hang up his gloves, or if he will seek another opportunity to step back into the ring.
### The Medical Verdict
The exact nature of Edgar’s medical issue has not been publicly disclosed. However, some insight has emerged regarding the decision to pull him from the fight.
“After further review with our chief medical officer, we decided that Frankie Edgar was not going to compete this Saturday,” BKFC President David Feldman told MMAFighting.com. “We’re going to look into it and see what his future looks like, but he will not be competing this Saturday.”
According to Kevin Armstrong of NJ.com, Edgar was required to pass several health exams before being deemed fit to fight. These included an echocardiogram, stress test, eye examination, bloodwork panel, EKG, and MRI. It remains unclear which specific test or factors led to his removal from the card.
### Conor McGregor’s Response
Conor McGregor, co-owner of BKFC, also addressed the situation, expressing his disappointment for Edgar.
“I’m very upset for Frankie,” McGregor said, as reported by Sherdog. “I’m sure he’s devastated, and you know, health is paramount here. We will address it, and we will re-evaluate it and see where we go. Hopefully, we get Frankie in here at another date, but safety is paramount, and we take that with great care at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.”
### Friends and Family Were Against the Comeback
In the weeks leading up to the fight, Edgar made it clear that his close friends and family were opposed to his decision to make a comeback. Despite their concerns, he moved forward with plans to fight. Ultimately, the athletic commission and BKFC officials have stepped in to halt his return.
### Edgar’s History of Brutal Knockout Losses
Frankie Edgar is a legend in MMA—a former UFC Lightweight Champion known for iconic fights and relentless heart. However, his UFC career ended on a harsh note, marked by a difficult run of knockout defeats.
– In November 2022 at UFC 281, Chris Gutierrez stopped Edgar with a knee to the face in what many expected to be Edgar’s retirement bout.
– The year before, in November 2021 at UFC 268, Marlon Vera knocked Edgar out with a front kick to the face in the third round.
– Earlier, in February 2021, Cory Sandhagen finished Edgar with a flying knee during a UFC Fight Night.
With Edgar turning 44 in just two weeks, concerns over his health and well-being are understandable.
### What’s Next for Frankie Edgar?
Given his recent setbacks and now this failed comeback attempt, questions remain if Edgar will try to compete again—perhaps in another state with more lenient health screening procedures.
Edgar’s toughness and warrior spirit are unquestioned, but sometimes even the toughest fighters must prioritize long-term health.
While many fans and loved ones are likely relieved by this development, only time will tell if Frankie Edgar has truly reached the end of his professional fighting journey.
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