Don Frye, who is considered by many as one of the early trailblazers in mixed martial arts (MMA), has had a storied career in combat sports. Due to his tough guy style and vicious ground-and-pound, Frye will always be remembered as a giant of a personality in the collective minds of MMA fans. Though Frye never achieved the same type of success that tanks like Mark Coleman did, he was a cult hero in the early days of the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships due to his simple brawler style born on November 23, 1965.
Here’s a table summarizing the fight record you provided:
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 42 |
| Wins | 31 |
| – By Knockout | 20 |
| – By Submission | 8 |
| – By Decision | 10 |
| – By Disqualification | 1 |
| Losses | 9 |
| – By Knockout | 5 |
| – By Submission | 2 |
| – By Decision | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No Contests | 1 |
Career Overview
Don Frye is one of the most respected fighters, known for his dominance in MMA at a time when the sport was still defining itself. A former amateur wrestler, Frye switched over to mixed martial arts in his mid-30s and became a sort of all-natural beast whose main strengths lay in his heart and determination.
- Full Name: Donald Frye
- Nickname: The Predator
Bondate de nacimiento: 23 de noviembre de 1965
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 206 lbs (93 kg)
- Estilo de Combate: Free Style, Judo, Boxe
Frye holds a 31-fight MMA career record with success in key fights and controversial battles.
Here is the breakdown of his major fights:
Here’s a polished version of the fight record you provided, organized into sections for wins, losses, and draws:
Don Frye’s Fight Record
Wins (20)
Don Frye vs. Thomas Ramirez
- Event: UFC 8
- Result: Win by KO (Punches)
- Date: February 16, 1996
- Notable: Frye wins his debut by finishing the fight in just 8 seconds.
Don Frye vs. Sam Adkins
- Event: UFC 8
- Result: Win by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
- Date: February 16, 1996
Don Frye vs. Gary Goodridge
- Event: UFC 8 Finals
- Result: Win by Submission (Armbar)
- Date: February 16, 1996
- Notable: Frye became the UFC 8 Tournament Champion.
Don Frye vs. Mark Hall
- Event: Ultimate Ultimate 1996
- Result: Win by Submission (Toe Hold)
- Date: December 7, 1996
Don Frye vs. Tank Abbott
- Event: Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Finals
- Result: Win by Submission (Neck Crank)
- Date: December 7, 1996
- Notable: Significant victory in the UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 tournament.
Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Takayama
- Event: Pride 21
- Result: Win by TKO (Punches)
- Date: June 23, 2002
- Honorable Mention: This battle is celebrated for its unforgettable exchanges of punches, marking one of the most memorable moments in MMA history.
(Additional notable wins against veterans such as Ken Shamrock and Remy Bonjasky followed in later years.)
Losses (9)
Don Frye vs. Mark Coleman
- Event: UFC 10
- Result: Loss by TKO (Strikes)
- Date: July 12, 1996
- Highlight: Coleman outslugged Frye, showcasing dominant ground and pound techniques.
Don Frye vs. Hidehiko Yoshida
- Event: Pride 23
- Result: Loss by Submission (Arm Bar)
- Date: November 24, 2002
Don Frye vs. James Thompson
- Event: Pride 34
- Result: Loss by TKO (Punches)
- Date: April 8, 2007
(Additional losses include bouts against notable fighters like Ken Shamrock, leading to the conclusion of his fights in various MMA organizations.)
Draws (1)
Don Frye vs. Ken Shamrock
- Event: Pride 19
- Result: Draw
- Date: February 24, 2002
- Note: This fight was highly anticipated and is regarded as one of the most significant matchups in MMA history, featuring two all-time greats.
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Transition into professional Wrestling and Acting
Outside of MMA, Frye had a career in professional wrestling in Japan while competing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and engaging in some memorable feuds. His charisma also brought him to the movie screen with roles in features like Public Enemies and Miami Vice, showing his range outside of the cage.
Personal life and relationships
Don Frye is a very private human being when it comes to his personal life, however, throughout interviews, he spilled out the beans on how he loved his family and country. Frye has two daughters although there is not much information available about his personal life. It isn’t the first time he’s been frank in this regard, and there is little wonder why: Frye was as dedicated as they come when it came to fighting, sometimes to his detriment in regards to fighters who have opened up about difficulty understanding among various close groups (ask Bas Rutten) when it comes to workmanship. Frye has spoken at length on the health issues that have befallen him in later life, including back surgeries to deal with accumulated wear and tear from years of fighting.
Health struggles and recent news
Don Frye has fallen on hard times in recent years, battling severe back pain which required multiple surgeries. Frye was hospitalized with complications from his back surgery in 2020 and has since recovered. His many injuries have left him with many health problems, however, he still remains in touch with the MMA community and has given interviews and attended events.
Frye made news once more in 2023, when he shared his thoughts on today’s sport of MMA, describing it as too soft compared to the days when he fought. Frye is still very much a fan of combat sports and his thoughts about fighters and fighting pervade the minds of many.
Net worth
At the end of 2024, Don Frye has an estimated net worth of about $2 million. He has made a career out of his MMA career, professional wrestling matches, acting roles and personal appearances at events/conventions.
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