Frankie Edgar’s retirement fight at UFC 281 ended violently when Chris Gutierrez knocked him out cold in the first round.
A knee up the middle caught Edgar flush, sending him to the canvas at the 2:01 mark of the opening frame. It was his third knockout loss in his previous four fights, while Gutierrez extended his unbeaten streak to eight fights.
“I love this sport, man,” an emotional Edgar told Joe Rogan afterward. “I didn’t want to go out like that, but this sport’s a b****. I’ve got my family here. That’s all that matters.”
Edgar then broke down in the arms of his teammates before exiting the octagon for the final time. He embraced his wife just outside the cage.
Here’s how fighters reacted to Frankie Edgar’s retirement fight on the main card of UFC 281, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Man it sucks seeing a legend go out like that
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) November 13, 2022
Frkkkk that’s not what anyone wanted to see but Frankie rolled the dice one last time. What a hell of a career. Enjoy the next phase legend #UFC281
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) November 13, 2022
Outside of my team Frankie Edgar is my favorite fighter. I’m remember Ali asked me to grapple with Frankie when he was in LA. I was genuinely star struck. Thank you for inspiring me and many others like me. God bless you and your family. @FrankieEdgar
— Beneil Dariush (@beneildariush) November 13, 2022
Hate to see a legend go out like that. Unforgiving sport. Frankie’s forever a gangster
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) November 13, 2022
Frankie, you’re a legend brother. Nothing to hang your head about. I know you have so many successful avenues after this chapter in your life. Long live Iron strong, Frankie Edgar! #UFC281
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) November 13, 2022
Frankie Edgar = legend! Hall of fame entry coming soon.
— michael (@bisping) November 13, 2022