The juxtaposition of The Predators ferocious persona in the cage with his bond with animals outside is fascinating. that the Japanese always talk about. If I can make $50,000 in one night, with six weeks of training, its a hell of a lot better than working all year long just to make $45,000.. In the finals, Frye faced striker Tank Abbott, who landed early shots, opening a cut on Frye's face and causing swelling. 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My horse died back on Labor Day. Frye capitalized on a failed neck crank attempt to get standing and try to outmatch Coleman there, but he was taken down again, and a late takedown attempt of his own also failed, with Coleman reversing and threatening with an overhead throw before returning to his routine. The fight struck me as odd. The life of fighting or lack that time, the UFC was set up in a tournament bracket. Frye lost that fight. said. Last year, they opened the door and let me into the UFC Fan Expo, and I guess it went good enough that it made the other door open., Frye went on to brush off any lingering bad blood with White, who praised the soon-to-be Hall of Famer as a legend in this sport and one of the toughest guys to ever compete., We dont send each other Christmas cards, but you know, Frye said jokingly. Another rematch was on tap for Pride Shockwave 2003 on New Year's Eve, 2003 when Frye faced Gary Goodridge for the third time. Don Frye was involved in one of the most memorable fights in MMA history, but his journey to get there wasnt always easy. Id like to kill those f that did that to me, Frye said, staring out the kitchen window at the Catalina Mountains, a cigar in his hand. According to Mollies LinkedIn account, Dons ex-spouse, Mollie Frye is currently handling her home office organization and management business in Arizona. Frye took seven months off following the losses to Le Banner and Yoshida, and next fought at Pride 26 on June 28, 2003 to try to avenge his loss to Mark Coleman. Don Frye father's name is under review and mother unknown at this time. Frye, 56, clicked play on his TV. After eight bouts over the next fourteen months he retired and became an emergency medical technician and a firefighter in Bisbee, Arizona. I However, Frye was a pioneer in the [4], In 1995, Don Frye helped train Dan Severn for the Ultimate Ultimate 1995, accompanying Severn's entourage to Denver. DamianK1, A.S. Frye, a bread-and-butter wrestler and swing-for-the-fences puncher, had never won a fight by leg lock, and Hall practically fell into the submission. He has two daughters with his wife Mollie Frye. Much to everyones knowledge, Don went through difficult challenges both in his health and family life. Required fields are marked *. He soon made the jump to the burgeoning sport of mixed martial arts himself and joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship the following year. When the UFC was started in 1993 and even up until the early 2000s, it was the wild, wild West. But one day, he suddenly disappeared from the fighting scene. Both fighters exchanged How do you top that?. 76.6K followers. referee had tears in his eyes. Frye captured his first Ultimate Fighting Championship on Feb. 16, 1996 defeating Ramirez and two other opponents. Not listening to his body and masking the pain with medication shortened his career, he said. When I At that time, the UFC was set up in a tournament bracket. Creative Commons, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The referee, Yuji Shimada, he was crying during the fight said it was an honor to be a part of that fight.. sport, one of the first true mixed martial artists with backgrounds in Like I said, the back is a mess.. Frye now enjoys a quiet life in Catalina, a rural community 30 miles Three months later, at a joint New Year's Eve show Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001: K-1 vs. Inoki, Frye defeated Cyril Abidi with relative ease, taking the French kickboxer to the mat and controlling him throughout round one before finishing him with a rear naked choke in two. An aggressive brawler also known for his patriotic, open and quote-worthy public persona, Frye is certainly one of MMAs most recognizable personalities worldwide. But at the end of the day, he doesnt wish he had it any other way. [3] During this time, he also took up judo and earned the rank of second dan black belt. bring it home? and Im like Yeah. Swear to God, as soon as that dog (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Thats why we became good friends, because I knew him before he was famous and I didnt want anything from him. If youre a good-looking redhead or a good-looking blonde, come up there and give me a hug, Frye joked. Youre not a man anymore., Then the kicker was when she says, I dont think you can provide for the family anymore. Ah, OK, theres the truth.. It indicates that He is on life path 1. UFC Hall of Famer Winner of UFC 8 , UFC 9, the Ultimate Ultimate 2 '96 New Japan Pro Wrestling, Co-host of Dan and Don's Toxic Masculinity Podcast. The fight between Don Frye and Yoshihiro Takayama in Japans PRIDE 21 was so intense that the referee had tears in his eyes. He wasnt doing real good, he was in I was never the same after The life of a UFC Hall of Famer has sculpted Fryes life and His technique would later become the basics Frye finished his UFC career with a 9-1 record, with no fights going the distance. Four months after defeating Ken Shamrock, Frye returned to MMA to face Japanese professional wrestler Yoshihiro Takayama at Pride 21 on June 23, 2002. He firstly went for the second time against Gary Goodridge, who brawled on the clinch before taking Frye down and landing headbutts, but the result was the same, as Goodridge tapped out as soon as Frye got dominant position. Frye was molested three times as child, he said. Use our convenient PayPal/credit card donation form below or contact us at donate@tucsonsentinel.com today. grade as therapy, he said, before MMA came around. [9] Frye got the edge on a series of clinch battles, while Shamrock dropped down for an ankle lock and transitioned into both a kneebar and a toehold, wrenching Frye's leg badly; however, despite the damage, Frye refused to tap out and managed to knock Shamrock down in a subsequent punching exchange. rooms traditional wood shelves. Half a dozen horse saddles are stacked [3], Frye returned at UFC 9 in Detroit, Michigan on May 19, 1996 for a match with fellow tournament winner Marco Ruas, but Ruas was injured and replaced by Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist Amaury Bitetti. Despite Don Fryes challenges, he still proves to be a real fighter. Don bought everybodys lunch, hes a real You get ripped off for a few million dollars, betrayed and lied to Don Frye has two daughters with his ex-wife Mollie Frye. Did you miss the debut of UFC 288"Countdown" or just want to watch it again? He doesnt know how to go backwards, he just goes straight forward like a bull in a China closet.. When he was doing pro wrestling in Japan, he was flying, so I went up there and did all the framing on the garage and put their trusses up and got it all framed in for him. But, youd get off the plane and it was just crazy, the people would like mob him. Ive had like 27 just on my back or related to my back alone. like a month and a half after my wife died.. Don stopped doing professional fights in 2011 and has since been active in mixed martial arts. I tell you, the timing couldnt be better, Frye said. Pro-Wrestling (DDT) in 2017. Takayama severed his spinal cord while : Unfortunately, this night was the second time I felt I was refereeing a fixed bout. "Don Frye is a guy who enjoys his life," Frye said. Gallery: Duel Fyre's gag email turned into a hand modeling gig. came around at that time and I was like 28, 29, and then I got into it. Fyre figured the early childhood experience was just life as he Were all smoking cigars and drinking beer and they announce Bob Meyrowitz and (Antonio Rodrigo) Nogueira and then they said, The third guy is, and they showed a picture of Dan Severn and I walking up to the octagon. The ex-wife, shed be loving and caring in front of everybody, but when we were alone, You just arent the man you used to be, not as tough as you used to be, you dont have the pain tolerance you used to have. Steve Owen, Frye's renowned trainer, goes way back in Frye's career. Find a staff list and description of our beats here. Old bullets, his fathers Air Force memorabilia, commemorative Japanese pieces and photos of him and his two daughters fill his living rooms wooden shelves. He is credited on IMDb for the role as "Wrestling Opponent". However, his fight with Gilbert Yvel that night was controversial and resulted in Frye winning by disqualification in the first round, as Yvel repeatedly gouged his eyes and was eventually disqualified for continuously holding the ropes to stop himself being taken down. The juxtaposition of the Predators ferocious persona in the cage with his bond with animals outside is fascinating. A former pro boxer and a licensed firefighter, Don Frye made an impressive professional fight debut by knocking out 6'1", 410 pound Thomas Ramirez in 8 seconds. Due to the controversy surrounding MMA at the time, Frye was barred from both firefighting, his previous occupation in his hometown of Sierra Vista, Arizona, and from training in the Buena High School gym he had used since his ASU days following the event. Frye returned to Pride in February 2002, facing long-time rival Ken Shamrock at Pride 19 in a fight he had been trying to trash-talk himself into ever since Shamrock had defeated Dan Severn at UFC 6. Spencer admitted he doesnt have many friends, and he doesnt like a Readmore, California and Arizona are currently fighting each other over water from the Colorado River, but this isnt new - its actually been going on for over 100 years; at one point, the states literally went to war about it - and the problem comes down to some really bad math from 1922. that journey was also a dark past. experiences in his youth, and it still fuels him to this day. [18], On October 2, 2005, Frye took part in AJPW's Wrestle-1 Grand Prix where he lost to Jamal.[18]. His daughters help care for them and the property when he cant. people would like mob him. But, fighting is just one of the It shocked the hell out of me. Donald Frye (born November 23, 1965) is an American former mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and actor. Im damn [7] Referee John McCarthy later wrote in his autobiography Let's Get It On! Don Frye. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2016. Frye was molested three times as child, he said. martial arts promotion in the world, and on June 23, 2002, Frye and The fight between Don Frye and Yoshihiro Takayama in 2002 was so intense that the referee had tears in his eyes. Right: Don Fryes career took a toll on his body, but he still makes sure to care for his horses and property. living; he admitted hes a lot darker now.. Frye won at the U-Japan event in November 1996, taking a submission victory by forearm choke over Mark Hall in a rematch. However, at the finals of the event, Frye faced Mark Coleman, who was considered the "godfather" of the ground and pound strategy Frye often followed. I didnt pick it, it picked me, he said. Takayama, God bless him, man, he said. But, if you ask Frye (20-9-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), the apex of his career didnt come with the submission win over Tank Abbot that made him the Ultimate Ultimate 1996 tournament winner. that fight. I had three different skillsets, and I didnt get stage fright.. A successful celebrity in Japan due to his pro wrestling career, Don Frye made his comeback to mixed martial arts when he signed a multi-fight contract with the Pride Fighting Championships in 2001. Frye sat in silence and watched the video of what Takayamas life Dont they talk to each other over there?, Then they showed another picture of me, and then another, and then I went, Holy (expletive), I think thats me!'. caring in front of everybody, but when we were alone, You just arent in years. Were friends. My wife died in 1999, Spencer said. corner of the ring and exchanged right hands akin to Rock Em Sock Em It's really good to see Don Frye visiting the Hawtness in the hospital after the Hawtness was paralyzed a few years ago Their fight is forever one of the GOAT moments in MMA . He finished his UFC career with a 10-1 record and changed the sport forever. In a fight that many consider to be one of Pride's most exciting matches, Frye and Takayama clinched in a hockey fight pose, each holding the head and hitting, with Takayama finally going to the body after more than a full minute of unrelenting, undefended shots. Who won? asked Dan Severn, who wrestled and coached at Arizona State, where he met Frye. I never did that. My horse had died. Andrew Lwowski expects to graduate in August of 2022 with a bachelors degree in sports journalism. Don continues to inspire fans and fellow professional fighters with his life stories. However, Gonzalez was injured, so Frye instead faced Ruben Villareal in a rematch at Heavyweight. His current primary income source is unknown. A lot of people that were around Don always wanted something from Dan changed my life, Frye said. Then MMA came around. First at 6 by a family friend, then at 8 by an adopted family relative, and then at "10 or 11" while working as a dishwasher for a hotel in Sierra Vista. [15] He debuted for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in August 1997, defeating Kazuyuki Fujita in his first match. Coleman, a more decorated wrestling champion than Frye himself, kept the top position through the match and landed multiple strikes to the face. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images), Don Fryes career took a toll on his body, but he still makes sure to care for his horses and property. Road Dogg gets questioned by Chelsea Green: SmackDown Exclusive, April 28, 2023 . Frye fought numerous big names during his foray in fighting from the mid-90s, including Mark Coleman, Tank Abott, and Ken Shamrock. Just ten days later, in his first appearance in the United States since 1996, Don Frye took on Ruben Villarreal in King of the Cage: Predator in Globe, Arizona. How do you top that?. Your contribution is tax-deductible. (Photo by Andrew Lwowski/Cronkite News). (Bisbee Fire Chief) Jack Ernest, God bless him, hes a good guy. When the replay of the fight ended, Frye switched to a video of Takayamas current condition. After a successful wrestling stint at Arizona State University, the now 50-year-old Frye was working as a firefighter when he was first invited to try his luck at the UFC. Throughout his 15-year MMA career, two-time UFC tournament champion Don Frye put on numeroustimeless fights that, to this day, are hailed as some of MMAs biggest fan-favorites. The video covers the Top 10 FINISHES of Don "The Predator" Frye. But at the end of the day, he doesnt wish he had it any other way. explosive combat fights, but what really powered his rage stems from Irregular western flagstone paver flooring ties it all together. perception from when he started, from divorces to injuries to making a He got me some fights across the country where I didnt Don Frye & Sonny First Fight djextreme808 70 subscribers Subscribe 512 Save 710K views 15 years ago Notice Age-restricted video (based on Community Guidelines) Almost yours: 1 week of TV on us. He also appeared in No Rules and starred in Nagurimono. being in a medically induced coma from brain hemorrhaging. Appearing in an MMA bout for the first time in five years at Pride 16 in Osaka, Japan on September 24, 2001, two weeks after the September 11 attacks, Frye entered the ring waving an American flag and wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "terrorists suck". He said no. [16] He lost out to Keiji Mutoh in his first title shot in April 1999 and was defeated by Kensuke Sasaki in his second in February 2000. Lwowski works as a reporter and photographer for Wrangler News and interned for Phoenix Magazine Visuals in spring 2022. While Frye did not tap out, the referee stopped the bout in fear of serious injury. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! materialized and the experience led to him to start drinking in fifth Whenever Frye leaves the hospital, he stays with Spencer in Sierra Vista. But watch out for your fingers spiders may . He mentions his bulldog is the only thing keeping him going, his daughters are doing their own thing so they don't talk much apparently, and he's in pain 90% of the time and on morphine. Ever since Severn coached him at ASU, he knew Frye would do well. 100% Free and No Sign-Up Required. Frye lost via knock-out.[14]. It gave me something to stay angry about and motivate me., Don Frye watches a tape of his most iconic bout, with Yoshihiro Takayama in 2002. After an aggressive start, Thompson landed two soccer kicks that dazed Frye. He took the role based solely off the plot, he added, with no monetary motivations. This group included Frye, himself, who confessed his surprise with the invite. Don Frye is one of the best mixed martial arts fighters of his time. something more than just blows to the face. When the UFC was started in 1993 and even up until the early 2000s, I dont think I fought in the UFC until I was 30.. got here, Don started getting better.. He wasnt doing real good, he was in the middle of the divorce at that time, and somebody had this bulldog that they didnt want anymore and so he called me and hes like, Can I bring it home? and Im like Yeah. Swear to God, as soon as that dog got here, Don started getting better.. It seems like Dons family chooses a life behind the spotlight. I never did that. In an interview, Frye mentions that unlike his fights where he has complete control, acting in a Godzilla film he had no control but enjoyed the experience nonetheless. next to his chair and cowboy hats and reins line the wall beside him. We were out at one of my friends house and there was had died, then the divorce.. Don Frye began acting in movies with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), playing the role of Captain Douglas Gordon. appeared through his thick, burly mustache as Takayama the 6-foot-7, It will either make you or break you, and I got lucky it made me. famous and I didnt want anything from him. Through watchdog reporting, local commentary & expert analysis, the Sentinel inspires residents to be meaningfully engaged with our community, promotes transparency & understanding, seeks solutions that empower, & holds the powerful accountable. The bout moved to the mat, where Shamrock attempted another ankle lock, only for Frye to try to counter with one of his own and finally refusing to tap out until time ran out. The match more closely resembled a hockey fight than a professional MMA contest. kicker was when she says, I dont think you can provide for the family A couple on my hand, couple on this (left) elbow, this (right) elbow, about five or seven on this (left shoulder), about five on this (right shoulder). Thats why we became good friends, because I knew him before he was debuted in 1996, winning UFC 8, finishing all three fights in under Fryes main motivation to keep doing the face-punching gig was pretty clear from the start. Fyre figured the early childhood experience was just life, but it left him scarred. You don't tug on Superman's cape. [12], Following his tenure with the IFL and a one-off fight with Texas-based promotion NoLimit Fighting, Don Frye competed in his inaugural fight with the DEEP organization, fighting Japanese fan favorite Ikuhisa Minowa. But, youd get off the plane and it was just crazy, the However, if it werent for Severn, Frye may have never graced the MMA world at all. He got me some fights across the country where I didnt get paid but thats pretty much how you test somebody.. And I get pretty pissed off when people try to take advantage of him.. As. He hit me in '96. When he started getting a little bit famous, everybody had their hands out. You'll now receive the top MMA Junkie stories each day directly in your inbox. and all that, it will change your opinions on a few things, Frye said. relative, and then at 10 or 11 while working as a dishwasher for a A [2], After college, Frye trained in boxing for a year and a half and made his professional debut on August 28, 1989 in Phoenix, Arizona, scoring a first-round knockout over Luis Mora. In a rather long battle, Frye lost a unanimous decision to Coleman after three rounds. And he couldnt believe it because everybody else that always hung Hey, Fight fans, we will be covering TOP 10 DON FRYE FINISHES for today. Don experienced a brain hemorrhage while in surgery. I shouldve retired after the Takayama fight, said Frye, who had a Get To Da Choppa, Dec 1, 2021 #5. Since he retired in 2011, he has been in and out of hospitals. Although his close friends knew him as J.R. Frye, he had a different identity in Japan, said Jeff Spencer, one of Fryes close friends. Frye won by way of technical knockout on the scorecard, but it was truly the viewers who won. Senator John McCain was actively campaigning against the sport he referred to as human cockfighting, Frye was forced to choose between his two occupations. Don Frye Net Worth, Wife Mollie Frye and Kids. two. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Half a dozen saddles are stacked next to his chair, and cowboy hats and reins line the wall beside him. It was such a great fight, take the time to learn the mans name, because he deserves it. Don Frye is 56 years old in 2022. Old bullets, his father's Air Force memorabilia, commemorative Japanese pieces, and photos of him and his two daughters fill his living room's wooden shelves.

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