Frankie Edgar announced his decision to come out of retirement to compete in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) this October. After leaving the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC in 2022 following a knockout loss to Chris Gutierrez, Edgar explained that his fascination with bare-knuckle fighting motivated his unexpected comeback.
Edgar described his interest in the new combat sport at a recent press event, stating:
“You know, we’re in [New] Jersey, you guys came here. It’s hard to pass up. As soon as I saw this sport, I was very intrigued. I’m a fighter. This is probably the ‘fightiest’ of all combat sports… I had to try it out… I used to fight for free at Seaside with no gloves, why not get paid to do it here?”
He is set to face UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera in his debut BKFC fight.
Daniel Cormier Recalls Troubling College Arrest
Daniel Cormier opened up about a violent incident from his early college years in Kansas that nearly had severe consequences. During a conversation with Shannon Sharpe, Cormier revealed he was arrested after a fight at a party while under the influence, which involved him using physical force against another individual.
He recalled the incident in detail:
“One time. I got arrested in college, I was a freshman. I punched a guy, man. I went to junior college in Kansas… I’m at this party, and this guy comes out. It’s his house. He starts talking, and he said something that I viewed as disrespectful, and then he came charging toward me. So I punched him… He went down and his jaw broke really bad, so blood is everywhere.”
Cormier further explained the harsh aftermath:
“We run off, me and my wrestling friends. The cops came to get us… They put me in jail, and I was crying, dude. They put me in jail on a Friday night, Shannon… They kept me in jail till Wednesday. I was crying. My mom actually, to pay to get me out, she had to take [money] and put it up against her house. To get me out of jail, she put her house on the line for the bail.”
Jon Jones Commends Khamzat Chimaev’s Performance at UFC 319
Jon Jones expressed admiration for Khamzat Chimaev following his commanding victory against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. Despite some criticism directed at Chimaev for not aggressively pursuing a finish, Jones praised the fighter’s dominant wrestling style and overall control throughout the bout.
Jones took to social media to share his thoughts:
“His control was outstanding, it was a brilliant performance. I’m sure he’ll take a lot from this dominant showing, and next time we’ll probably see him chase more finishes.”
Jones also hinted at a possible future training partnership with Chimaev. Meanwhile, Chimaev, who remains undefeated, is considering a return at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.
Implications and Outlook for the Fighters Involved
Frankie Edgar’s shift to bare-knuckle fighting marks a significant change in a seasoned athlete’s career path, highlighting the growing allure of alternative combat sports. Daniel Cormier’s reflection on his turbulent past provides deeper insight into the challenges faced before rising to UFC stardom. Meanwhile, Jon Jones’ praise for Khamzat Chimaev signals increased recognition for the rising contender, whose wrestling prowess continues to attract attention and speculation about potential future match-ups in the UFC welterweight division.
The coming months will be pivotal: Edgar’s BKFC debut aims to test his adaptability, while Chimaev’s next UFC appearance in Abu Dhabi will be closely watched, especially with Jones expressing interest in collaboration and mentorship. These developments underscore the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable nature of MMA careers.