MMA Hall of Fame: Don "The Predator" Frye
MMA Record: 20-8-1
Don “The Predator” Frye has already put together what you call an accomplished MMA fight resume, but as we speak he is plotting out his next move in his long-standing career. A former collegiate wrestler at Arizona State and Oklahoma State, Frye began mixed martial arts on the big stage in the octagon. Though only in the organization for a year, Frye won both the UFC 8 and Ultimate Ultimate tournaments while posting an impressive 10-1 record. It was at this time that he, along with friend Dan Severn and Mark Coleman began to incorporate wrestling and striking together into what he know as “ground and pound.”
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Frye left the sport for greener pastures as a professional wrestler from 1997–2001, but returned with a bigger and better version of “The Predator” to compete in the Japanese-based PRIDE FC. His PRIDE career lasted only seven fights (3-4) but was highlighted by two memorable ring appearances. His PRIDE 19 win over “The World’s Most Dangerous Man,” Ken Shamrock was quite possibly the highlight of his 13-year career, and his PRIDE 21 defeat of Yoshihiro Takayama was complete with continuous punches by both fighters for two-minutes straight in one of the best standup bouts in history.
Frye remains active still today as a 43 year-old bully competing on mid-level regional cards. His 2-2 record over the last two years provides enough evidence that he is still contributing to the sport that he helped develop into what we know today. After his loss in September to Dave Herman, many wondered whether it would be the last time we see the living legend compete in MMA. It may take some time for him to decide but one thing is for sure, that he has earned the right to walk away from the sport the same way he came into it, on hisown terms.
By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer
Published February 2010
Photo courtesy of UFC