Chad Mendes Will Only Return to BKFC for a Rematch with Eddie Alvarez

ABU DHABI – Chad Mendes is done with BKFC – unless he’s offered another chance with Eddie Alvarez.

Mendes hung up his gloves after losing a split decision to Alvarez at BKFC 41 in April 2023. It was a hard-fought fight that Mendes thought he won.

The multiple UFC title challenger has no real desire to return to the bare-knuckle boxing ring, but he would if given the opportunity to avenge his loss to Alvarez.

“Honestly, I think the only thing that really intrigues me at this point with the bare-knuckle fight is a rematch with Eddie, mainly because I thought I won that fight,” Mendes told MMA Junkie. “Worst case scenario, it was a draw. But I talked to Eddie a little bit about it. He seemed a little bit interested.”

“What I’ve heard is that his coaches don’t want to do it. So I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not, but it’s really the only thing I’m interested in in this world anymore. If it doesn’t happen, I probably won’t do it anymore, no.”

Mendes competed in a grappling match last Friday at ADXC 5 in Abu Dhabi. He defeated fellow ex-UFC fighter Diego Brandao and sees himself competing in more grappling matches to stay active.

“I love these grappling events,” Mendes said. “I love being able to continue to stay in shape, grappling, strength training and conditioning, that kind of stuff, it’s something I’ve been doing since I was a little kid, and I love doing more than just getting punched in the face, honestly. So I’m definitely going to continue to do that, I think, until my body says, ‘That’s enough.’”