Frankie Edgar, despite retiring from MMA in 2022 and being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, remains active by opening a gym, coaching, acting, and spending time with his family, while still feeling the persistent desire to fight.
It’s been nearly two years since Frankie Edgar last fought. But that doesn’t mean he’s lost the desire to compete again.
As he prepares for his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame class of 2024, the former lightweight champion confesses he’ll always have the itch to fight scratching and clawing away at him. When he announced his plans to retire from competition back in 2022, Edgar made that declaration in part to ensure that he would stick to that commitment.
Edgar says he’ll probably always have that same feeling burning away at him. But that doesn’t mean he’s ever going to fight again.
“I’m not plotting no comeback,” Edgar told MMA Fighting. “I didn’t want to retire but I made that choice. I thought it was the right time. I’ve been so busy with other things. It’s still in me. It will never go away. I’ll be 70 years old and that shit won’t go away.”
Since calling it a career, Edgar hasn’t slowed down one bit — just no longer spending most of his time in a training camp preparing for a fight. These days, the New Jersey native is putting the final touches on his new gym, coaching fighters and wrestlers who ask for his help, and being there for his kids as they pursue their own hopes and ambitions.
In an unexpected twist, Edgar even got the chance to become an actor after scoring a supporting role in the film The Bastard Sons from writer and director Kevin Interdonato, who also previously appeared in The Sopranos.
“I never anticipated this myself,” Edgar said about his movie role. “When I got the opportunity, I jumped all over it.” We had [Kevin] as a guest on my podcast and that was pretty much it.
He’s from my area; we know people in the same circles. He has a little bit of a wrestling background; he served in the military so we had him as a guest and he told us about this script.
He asked us if we wanted to do small cameo roles and we both said yes and then he came back a couple of weeks later saying a role opened up; would I be interested in it?
“I’ve done very minimal acting,” Edgar admitted. “I played myself in that Kickboxer 2 movie and did that commercial for the UFC back in the day but I was playing myself, which is pretty easy.”
I told him I don’t have much experience but I’ll give it a shot and it was a blast.
Beyond his acting role, Edgar admits the rest of his days are just as filled now as when he was an active fighter in the UFC. He still trains regularly but is no longer focused on getting ready for a fight but rather improving as a martial artist and passing along knowledge to the next generation following in his footsteps.
“I kind of have the same schedule [as when I was fighting],” Edgar said. “I’m in the gym morning and night; at practice with my kids or something.” Helping local guys train here at Nick Catone’s [gym]. Opening my own school in Tom’s River.
Just chasing kids; they definitely keep me busy! Not slowing down—still training all time.
His new gym dubbed Iron Army Academy is Edgar’s next major project but don’t expect him to necessarily turn that into a breeding ground for fighters hoping to compete in UFC one day.
While not opposed to coaching athletes with those aspirations, Edgar knows most of his time will be spent working with martial arts enthusiasts or everyday people looking to stay/get fit or learn wrestling/Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
“This is a school for my community,” explained Edgar.
“I want change kid’s lives.”
Seeing what wrestling/jiu-jitsu did for many people including himself makes him passionate about offering these options locally.
For adults too! Grappling/community can be life-changing—it changed mine!
If fight team happens naturally/organically? Sure! My son may want fight someday—nice build team for him.
For now? More about community/students—not professionals right now.
From deciding end career coming soon—Edgar began preparing next phase life.
Between family/building gym/coaching/other businesses—the now 42-year-old veteran rarely has downtime—and likes it this way!
Misses fighting? Sure—but found plenty other activities fill days—not planning slow down anytime soon.
“You hear stories guys retire/get depressed/not spotlight,” said Edgar.
“I wasn’t guy looked spotlight anyway.”
Don’t know how be down/depressed—too busy chasing kids/new adventures!
Enjoying next part life—no reason dumps—it’s like getting white belt all over again—a new mountain climb/motivate me!
Induction into UFC Hall Fame? Never type tout accomplishments/pat self back job well done—instead preferred keep nose down/grind towards next obstacle conquer.
That said—appreciates honor bestowed upon—even admits definitely earned it.
“I put heart/soul into UFC,” said Edgar.
Was 5-0 when got into UFC—career was there.
Never anticipated having this type career/life—but worked very hard!
Recognition means everything—you’re record books forever—it does mean lot!
Not sentimental type guy though.
Everyone asks ‘where’s your belt?’
Have up on podcast make look good—not one those guys keeps medals from high school—that stuff doesn’t mean anything—but being UFC Hall Fame? That special.”