He also wrote a humorous weekly column called "Dear Don: Advice from The Predator" in which he gives fans advice on love, life, friendship, and more. 247 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003, This page was last edited on 26 April 2023, at 16:50. Overall, its a blur, but when you watch it, you think, Oh yeah, I At Andrew Lwowski expects to graduate in August of 2022 with a bachelors degree in sports journalism. Don Frye has been in the mixed martial arts scene since 1965. 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.. Who won? said Dan Severn, who wrestled and coached at Arizona State Don Frye Obituary. I never did that. Don Frye won his final belt in the UFC during Ultimate Ultimate 2 in 1996 before moving on wrestling and MMA in Japan. Don Frye reflects on a storied MMA career and a memorable fight Fyre figured the early childhood experience was just life, but it left him scarred. Before the UFC got its legs, Japans PRIDE was the top mixed martial arts promotion in the world, and on June 23, 2002, Frye and Takayama delivered for PRIDE 21. Youre not a man anymore. Then the The video covers the Top 10 FINISHES of Don "The Predator" Frye. that fight. Frye had mentioned in an interview prior to the fight that (besides knee strikes) he had never thrown a kick in his life and his disadvantage was obvious as he couldn't use his wrestling skills and was repeatedly thrown when he tried to tie up with Le Banner. Hell yeah. Her birthplace is Update Soon. The induction also got him through a major back surgery, one that During his brief MMA hiatus, Frye made a one-off appearance as a pro wrestler in Inoki Genome Federation, losing to Josh Barnett via keylock submission on September 8, 2007. Before the UFC got its legs, Japans PRIDE was the top mixed He got me into the UFC when I Sign up for the MMA Junkie newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. 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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. Moreover, MMA also started acting and participated in a few films. 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. 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. My horse had died. Don Frye - IMDb Frye appeared in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia entitled "The Gang Wrestles for the Troops", in which he played a professional wrestler that was getting pummeled by Roddy Piper's character, "Da' Maniac". Frye stormed into the fighting scene early, appearing as one of the He lives a simple life on a quaint 2-acre property backing up to the Catalinas. I didnt pick it, it picked me, Frye said about fighting. Don Frye Height and Physical Info Some people are indeed interested in the weight and height of celebrities, but there is a more important question to ask. Riding a new wave of popularity, Frye's next outing was a return to MMA at Pride 23 on November 24, 2002 to face Olympic gold medalist judoka Hidehiko Yoshida. punched me and knocked my feet out from underneath me so I had to grab Birth Sign Sagittarius. Don Frye is one of the best mixed martial arts fighters of his time. He's especially vigilant for any gaps where the foundation meets the rest of the building and around the sill plate. When he was doing pro wrestling in Japan, he was flying, so I went owes me, and Im like, Don, you dont owe me anything. Don Frye dominated the world of mixed martial arts for 6 straight years. Don Frye on the Hardest He Was Ever Hit: It'd Have to Be Tank Abbott 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. Upcoming Birthday. Frye, 56, clicked play on his TV. what it was.. the pain tolerance you used to have. Senator John McCain was actively campaigning against the sport he referred to as human cockfighting, Frye was forced to choose between his two occupations. The O.C. DamianK1, A.S. According to TMZ Sports, a fan at this past weekend's UFC 270 event tempted fate by bumping into the legendary UFC Hall of Famer's 10 . Then we just started punching.. I had a beautiful stallion. Dear Don: Ken Shamrock - YouTube The Predator had a professional MMA record of 20-9-1 with one no But, fighting is just one of the was in the hospital, Frye, now 56, clicked play. A slight smirk 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. Cronkite News is the news division of Arizona PBS. He finished his UFC career with a 10-1 record and changed the sport forever. Or even with the brutal Ken Shamrock bout at PRIDE 19 that left both men dealing with the damages for years to come. Id like to kill those f that did that to me, Frye said. I was never the same after that. Minowa won via kneebar at the 3:56 mark of round one, dropping Frye's record in Japan to 8-6. He soon made the jump to the burgeoning sport of mixed martial arts himself and joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship the following year. Don Frye-Wife, Height, Movies, Net Worth, - in4fp.com Don Frye began acting in movies with Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), playing the role of Captain Douglas Gordon. most well-rounded fighters in the UFC at the time, Severn said. Rey Mysterio tells Zelina Vega to trust her heart against Rhea Ripley: SmackDown . Soleil Moon Frye's Children - Hollywood Life Don Frye's heartwarming story about his fight with Takayama - Sherdog 76.6K followers. different identity in Japan, said Jeff Spencer, one of Fryes close Spencer met Frye while Frye worked as a reserve firefighter before As of date, his daughters names and other details are unavailable. We were out at one of my friends house and there was this horse we were on this 10-acre thing, and it was on the other side Don calls over to the horse and the horse comes over and lets Don pet him. Big 12 Conference remains open for expansion after Pac-12 merger talks end, As sports betting grows, states tackle teenage problem gambling, Former Arizona stars Mathurin, Terry, Koloko impress in NBA Summer League debuts, 2 kid-friendly films to wrap up Tucson summer Movies in the Park. up there and did all the framing on the garage and put their trusses up I had three different skillsets, and I didnt get stage fright.. Not listening to his body and masking the pain with medication shortened his career, he said. and all that, it will change your opinions on a few things, Frye said. hotel in Sierra Vista. He didnt deserve that. I work in pest control. Here are 5 things I never do in my home After spending four years as one of Japan's top gaijin wrestlers, he returned to MMA with the Pride Fighting Championships in September 2001, much more muscular and sporting an American patriot persona in response to the September 11 attacks. Well, the audience because they witnessed something Over the course of his career, Frye said he has had 45 or 50 surgeries, and his career started to spiral in the wrong direction when he became reliant on pain medication from his various injuries. It was Fryes career and charisma that turned him into an legend My horse had died. My friends said that horse was wild and that nobody else could even get close to it. I dont think I fought in the UFC until I was 30.. Don Frye departed Pride on the back of four consecutive losses and next appeared fighting under MMA rules in K-1. Readmore, Flags across Arizona should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, May 1, to mark Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day, Gov. "Don Frye is a guy who enjoys his life," Frye said. 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. I shouldve retired after the Takayama fight, said Frye, who had a After teaming with Keiji Mutoh to defeat Masayuki Kono and Yoshihiro Takayama in a tag team match, Frye engaged in a post-match brawl with Takayama, playing off their Pride 21 bout from 2002.[19]. [22], Frye provided the voice for the main villain Matt Ninesister in the third installment of the Stick 10: Even More Swag animated specials, The United League of Stereotypes. entails, rewinding and rewatching the move that cost Takayama his body Frye, 56, last fought at a Gladiator Challenge event in December 2011, when he was on the receiving end of a first-round knockout from Ruben Villareal. the course of his career, Frye said he has had 45 or 50 surgeries, and Before fighting, Frye worked odd jobs ranging from horse shoeing, firefighting and bartending. Pro-Wrestling (DDT) in 2017. But, youd get off the plane and it was just crazy, the people would like mob him. Hope he gets himself turned around. Ultimate Ultimate 2 in 1996 while finishing as runner-up in UFC 10. My wife died in 1999, Spencer said. Coleman, a more decorated wrestling champion than Frye himself, kept the top position through the match and landed multiple strikes to the face. He defeated Mark Hall by stoppage, slamming the Moo Yea Do specialist and working his side with body punches until the stoppage, and then defeated Brian Johnston, again leading the action to the mat and landing elbows to the head. 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. Proud of the scrap, he doesnt mind answering them but asks that you please do him a favor beforehand. I also knew both fighters were managed by the same guy.[8]. Just one month later, Frye entered the UFC's Ultimate Ultimate 96 tournament, held to find the best of the best from past tournament winners and runners up. Or with the memorable beating of Yoshihiro Takayama at PRIDE 21 in 2002. The fight only lasted six minutes and 10 seconds of the first round, but what had transpired was more than anyone could have asked. With his former day job, all his MMA wins and participation, as well as his acting career, Don Frye has a substantial net worth estimate of $2 Million. got here, Don started getting better.. Your email address will not be published. Both men paid a Widely recognized as one of the first fighters to successfully combine various styles into a well-rounded MMA game, The Predator looked back on the reasons behind his early octagon success. Looking back on it, it was just a hell of a privilege to be involved in something like that.. his body and masking the pain with medication shortened his career, he He There, Frye took part in what is known as one of 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. the kitchen window at the Catalina Mountains with a cigar in hand. the most famous MMA fights of all time. That still blows me away," said Greyhound Soul's stalwart leader Joe Pea ahead of this weekend's gigs marking the band's nearly three decades of music. Don Frye eased into his tan leather loveseat with a vibrant serape He got me into the UFC when I asked him to. Four months after defeating Ken Shamrock, Frye returned to MMA to face Japanese professional wrestler Yoshihiro Takayama at Pride 21 on June 23, 2002. T hank you for praying over this precious family during this difficult time, and thank you for reaching out to the extended Frye family over the . [16] In September 2001, Frye won the G1 World Climax tournament. Were friends. And, interestingly enough, The Predator found out about it the same way as everyone else. Furthermore, he also acted in Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy, The Ant Bully, Noah, and Public Enemies. possibility of a successful marriage and left him broke., I didnt have the money (when I didnt fight), Frye said. daughters who take care of him, a beautiful bulldog, two beautiful Frye now enjoys a quiet life in Catalina, a rural community 30 miles north of Tucson. Don Frye Full Shoot Interview From his Home! The one regret He has two daughters with his wife Mollie Frye. You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger, and you sure as hell don't touch Don Frye 's hat. In his final boxing match, Frye lost via technical knockout to David Kilgour of Somis, California at the Reseda Country Club in Reseda, Los Angeles on December 11, 1990, bringing his professional record to two wins, five losses and one draw. He moved on to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and PRIDE FC, based in Japan, Frye then faced Mark Hall for the third time in his career, but this fight was even shorter, with Frye getting a takedown and an Achilles lock for the give up in 20 seconds. Thompson landed several more blows on a defenseless Frye before the referee called the fight at 6:25 in the first round.[11]. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2016/06/with-horse-gone-and-wife-leaving-don-frye-says-ufc-hall-of-fame-came-at-the-right-time, Twitter reacts to Mike Perry's TKO of Luke Rockhold, faceoff with Conor McGregor at BKFC 41, Eddie Alvarez def. The former mixed martial artist, professional wrestler, and actor married entrepreneur, Mollie Frye. Once a year, Frye performs this search and looks for openings or gaps that could be signs of pest activity, evidence of rodents (like droppings or gnaw marks) and termite mud tubes. However, if it were not for Severn, Frye may have never graced the I was never the same after Frye stormed into the fighting scene early, appearing as one of the most well-rounded fighters in the UFC at the time, Severn said. Don Frye was involved in one of the most memorable fights in MMA history, but his journey to get there wasnt always easy. (Screenshot courtesy of PRIDE FC. In 1987, he won the freestyle and Greco-Roman events during an Olympic qualifier. experiences in his youth, and it still fuels him to this day. Get To Da Choppa, Dec 1, 2021 #5. (Photo by Andrew Lwowski/Cronkite News). Required fields are marked *. 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. [1] He boxed under the name J.R. Frye in several matches after being forced to change his name due to a contractual dispute. 2023 Cronkite News. grade as therapy, he said, before MMA came around. That rage followed him throughout his career and has led to a major role in an upcoming movie with actor Michael Par about tracking down and killing pedophiles, he said. Don Frye has two daughters with his ex-wife Mollie Frye. (Photo by Andrew Lwowski/Cronkite News), Left: Many fans remember Frye and love to interact with him, like at this UFC International Fight Week Legends Panel in Las Vegas. Takayama severed his spinal cord while performing a sunset flip for wrestling for Dramatic Dream Team Pro-Wrestling in 2017, which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Were friends. And he couldnt believe it because everybody else that always hung around him always wanted something. Creative Commons. The setback left his record at 20-9-1. Stepping back into the pro wrestling arena, Frye would make a one-time appearance at NJPW's Fighting Spirit Memorial Day Tokyo Dome show on May 2, 2002 where he defeated Tadao Yasuda. Although he fought for 11 different Im damn MMA veteran Don Frye has said he punched a UFC fan in the face after they challenged him to a fight. Don Frye Net Worth, Wife Mollie Frye and Kids - Celebsignal.com Don Frye. Man's lumberjack-like hands land modeling gig for distillery His personal year number in 2023 is 5. blanket draped over the back, loosened his back brace and rested a leg However, if it werent for Severn, Frye may have never graced the MMA world at all. the man you used to be, not as tough as you used to be, you dont have I never did that. Then MMA came around. Damage CTRL, Indi Hartwell, Frye & Dawn & Shinsuke Nakamura drafted: SmackDown, April 28, 2023 . Hell yeah. The UFC came around at that time and I was like 28, 29, and then I got into it. 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. Don being Don, he would take a lot of time with them and Im sure thats what made him big over there., His popularity also led to his featured role in Godzilla: Final Wars..