View source for Don Frye

{{Short description|American mixed martial artist}} 
{{for|the professional wrestler who also used the ring name "The Predator"|Sylvester Terkay}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Don Frye
| image           = 
| image_size      = 185px
| caption         = 
| birth_name      = Donald Frye
| other_names     = The Predator
| nationality     = American
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|1965|11|23}}
| birth_place     = [[Sierra Vista, Arizona]], U.S.
| fighting_out_of = Sierra Vista, Arizona, U.S.
| death_date      = 
| death_place     = 
| height          = 6 ft 1 in
| weight          = 206 - 219 lb
| weight_class    = [[Light heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] <br> [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] <br> [[Openweight]]
| reach           = 73 in<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.martialbot.com/mma/d/don-frye.html | title=Don Frye: Record & Stats | date=11 December 2011 | access-date=January 3, 2024 | archive-date=January 3, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103115936/https://www.martialbot.com/mma/d/don-frye.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| style           =  
| rank            = ''2nd Dan Black Belt in [[Judo]]''
| wrestling       = ''NCAA Division I [[Collegiate wrestling|Wrestling]]''
| stance          = Orthodox
| team            = Team Frye
| trainer         = [[Dan Severn]]<br> [[Curt Hennig]]
| years_active    = 1989–1990 (Boxing)<br> 1996–2011 (MMA)<br> 2002 (kickboxing)
| box_win         = 2
| box_kowin       = 2
| box_loss        = 5
| box_koloss      = 4
| box_draw        = 1
| box_nc          = 
| kickbox_win     = 
| kickbox_kowin   = 
| kickbox_loss    = 1
| kickbox_koloss  = 1
| kickbox_draw    = 
| kickbox_nc      = 
| mma_win         = 20
| mma_kowin       = 8
| mma_subwin      = 10
| mma_decwin      = 1
| mma_dqwin       = 1
| mma_loss        = 9
| mma_koloss      = 5
| mma_subloss     = 2
| mma_decloss     = 2
| mma_draw        = 1
| mma_nc          = 1
| other           = 
| occupation      = 
| spouse          = 
| children        = 2
| relatives       = 
| students        = 
| university      = [[Arizona State University]] <br> [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater]]
| url             = 
| boxrec          = 35760
| sherdog         = 124
| updated         = 
}}

'''Donald Frye''' (born November 23, 1965) is an American former [[Mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]], [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], and [[actor]]. In MMA, he was one of the sport's earliest well-rounded fighters and won the ''[[UFC 8]]'' and ''[[David vs. Goliath 96]]'' tournaments and finished as runner-up at ''[[UFC 10]]'' in his first year of competition. He retired from MMA in 1997 to pursue a career in professional wrestling with [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW)  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 patriotism|American patriot]] persona in response to the [[September 11 attacks]]. He fought bouts with [[Ken Shamrock]] and [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] during his two years in Pride. He departed the promotion to compete in [[K-1]] and [[Hero's]] in 2004 but returned for the final Pride event in 2007. He was inducted into the [[UFC Hall of Fame]] in 2016.

==Early life==
Frye was born of Irish and Scottish descent. He began [[wrestling]] at [[Buena High School (Arizona)|Buena High School]] in [[Sierra Vista, Arizona]], then in college for [[Arizona State University]] in 1984, where he was trained by fellow future [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] competitor, assistant wrestling coach [[Dan Severn]]. In 1987, he won the [[Freestyle wrestling|freestyle]] and [[Greco-Roman wrestling|Greco-Roman]] events during an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] qualifier.{{ref|SOklahoman}} A year later, he transferred to [[Oklahoma State University–Stillwater]], where his teammates included future colleague [[Randy Couture]].{{ref|SOklahoman}}

After college, Frye trained in [[boxing]] for a year and a half and made his [[Professional boxing|professional]] debut on August 28, 1989, in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], scoring a first-round knockout over Luis Mora. After eight bouts over the next fourteen months he retired and became an [[emergency medical technician]] and a firefighter in [[Bisbee, Arizona]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rattling-the-cage.com/blog.php?id=45&mode=blogview |title=UFC The Early Years: What You May Have Missed Part 3 (UFC 6-8) |access-date=August 31, 2011 |archive-date=November 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104215208/http://www.rattling-the-cage.com/blog.php?id=45&mode=blogview |url-status=dead }}</ref> He boxed under the name J.R. Frye in several matches after being forced to change his name due to a contractual dispute. 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.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-12-sp-5697-story.html Norris Gives Willis a Ribbing in Heavyweight Win] Rich Tosches, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (December 12, 1990)</ref> Frye also worked in a psychiatric ward but left that position after breaking a patient's arm while restraining him.<ref>[https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/don-frye-rogan-ufc-pioneer/ Don Frye Reflects On Going From Horseshoer And Firefighter To UFC Pioneer: ‘I Needed Something To Do’] Derek Hall, middleeasy.com (June 23, 2021)</ref> During this time, he also took up [[judo]] and earned the rank of second ''[[Dan (martial arts)|dan]]'' [[Black belt (martial arts)|black belt]].<ref>[http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/16-Questions-for-Don-Frye-16222 16 Questions for Don Frye]</ref>

==Mixed martial arts career==

===Ultimate Fighting Championship (1996)===
In 1995, Don Frye helped train [[Dan Severn]] for the ''[[Ultimate Ultimate 1995]]'', accompanying Severn's entourage to Denver. He soon made the jump to the burgeoning sport of [[mixed martial arts]] himself and joined the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]] the following year. Debuting at ''[[UFC 8]]'' in [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]], Puerto Rico on February 16, 1996, Frye was among the eight competitors in the [[openweight]] tournament that night and was one of two fighters of the era skilled in both [[Stand-up fighting|stand-up]] and [[ground fighting]], the other being [[Marco Ruas]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.multimania.co.uk/fight/judo/judovsbjj.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-11-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026012455/http://members.multimania.co.uk/fight/judo/judovsbjj.html |archive-date=2010-10-26 }}</ref> In the quarter-finals, he set the record (since broken by [[Duane Ludwig]] and [[Jorge Masvidal]]) for fastest [[knockout]] in UFC history when his punches knocked down 410-lb Thomas Ramirez in just eight seconds. After a quick [[technical knockout]] of [[Sam Adkins (fighter)|Sam Adkins]] in the semis, taking him down and landing hammerfists to the face for the TKO, he met with [[Gary Goodridge]] in the final, and forced the Trinidadian to [[Submission (combat sports)|submit]] simply by gaining dominant position at the 2:14 mark, though not without landing multiple uppercuts standing and punches on the ground. This would be the first in a trilogy of fights between the pair. 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 (Arizona)|Buena High School]] gym he had used since his ASU days following the event.{{ref|Providence}}

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]]. Frye stopped his opponent's takedowns and land punches, knees and elbows, and used a judo [[ude-garami]] on the jiu-jitsu champion, something that was unusual at the time. At the end, after an especially hard series of strikes to the spine and head of the Brazilian, the match was stopped and Frye was declared winner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-301/|title=MMA Review: #69: UFC 9: Motor City Madness|work=The Oratory|author=Scott Newman|date=2005-12-14|access-date=2016-03-21|archive-date=2016-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220114901/http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-301/|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

At ''[[UFC 10]]'' in [[Birmingham, Alabama]], on July 12, 1996, Frye returned to tournament format. He defeated [[Mark Hall (fighter)|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 (fighter)|Brian Johnston]], again leading the action to the mat and landing elbows to the head. 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. Coleman, a more decorated wrestling champion than Frye himself, kept the top position through the match and landed multiple strikes to the face. 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. At the end, after Coleman secured side mount and dropped punches and headbutts onto Frye's face, the referee stopped the action, handing Frye his first loss in seven fights.

Frye won at the ''U-Japan'' event in November 1996, taking a submission victory by forearm choke over [[Mark Hall (fighter)|Mark Hall]] in a rematch. 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. 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 then faced [[Mark Hall (fighter)|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. In the finals, Frye faced striker [[Tank Abbott]], who landed early shots, opening a cut on Frye's face and causing swelling. However, Abbott lost his balance and fell, allowing Frye to secure a [[rear naked choke]], to take the title of ''Ultimate Ultimate 96'' Champion, his second UFC Tournament Championship.

Hall would later claim that Don Frye and manager Robert DePersia convinced him to [[Match fixing|throw]] the two fighters' semi-final match. Hall says that since Tank Abbott had already advanced to the final after two relatively easy wins, Frye – who'd logged eleven minutes of cage time already that night – wanted to save his energy for the championship match. Because he'd already suffered two defeats to Frye earlier in his career (and therefore probably wasn't going to win anyway) and DePersia implied that saying no would have a disastrous impact on his future, Hall says he reluctantly agreed to go along with the plot.<ref>[http://www.cagepotato.com/top-10-mma-conspiracy-theories/ Top 10 MMA Conspiracy Theories] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725040209/http://www.cagepotato.com/top-10-mma-conspiracy-theories/ |date=July 25, 2013 }}</ref> Referee [[John McCarthy (mixed martial arts)|John McCarthy]] later wrote in his autobiography ''Let's Get It On!'':

{{blockquote|Unfortunately, this night was the second time I felt I was refereeing a fixed bout. In the semifinals, Don Frye and Mark Hall met in a rematch of their UFC 10 bout. In their first encounter Frye had beaten the piss out of Hall, who'd refused to give up. Here, though, Frye ankle-locked Hall to advance to the finals without breaking a sweat. The fight struck me as odd. 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. I also knew both fighters were managed by the same guy.<ref>[http://prommanow.com/2011/12/14/fixed-fights-in-the-ufc-a-look-inside-the-autobiography-of-big-john-mccarthy-part-1/ Fixed fights in the UFC: A look inside the autobiography of "Big" John McCarthy – part 1]</ref>}}

Despite his success in MMA, Frye retired from the sport after winning the ''Ultimate Ultimate '96'' tournament.

===Pride Fighting Championships (2001–2003)===
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. 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 [[Flag of the United States|American flag]] and wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "terrorists suck". He was also noticeably more muscular and seemingly stronger than his UFC days, having gained {{convert|7|kg|lb}} in weight since his last MMA outing. However, his fight with [[Gilbert Yvel]] that night was controversial and resulted in Frye winning by disqualification in the first round, as Yvel repeatedly [[Eye-gouging|gouged]] his eyes and was eventually disqualified for continuously holding the ropes to stop himself being [[Takedown (grappling)|taken down]].

Three months later, at a joint New Year's Eve show ''Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001: [[K-1]] vs. [[Antonio Inoki|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.

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]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hereisyourwinner.com/2013/04/don-frye-interview/ |title=Don Frye Interview &#124; |access-date=2013-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413032742/http://hereisyourwinner.com/2013/04/don-frye-interview/ |archive-date=2013-04-13 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> Frye got the edge on a series of clinch battles, while Shamrock dropped down for an ankle lock and transitioned into both a [[Leglock#Kneebar|kneebar]] and a [[Leglock#Toe hold|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. 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. After an exciting and hard fought battle, Frye pulled out a [[split decision]] victory in which many people including the commentators [[Bas Rutten|Bass Rutten]] and [[Stephen Quadros]] said Ken Shamrock won the fight{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}. Even though Shamrock had injured Frye's ankles, later leading to Frye's dependency on painkillers for several years,<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/16-Questions-for-Don-Frye-16222 |title = 16 Questions for Don Frye - Bad Blood}}</ref> the two hugged after the fight ended, putting an end to their rivalry. Many MMA fans agree that both fighters were never the same again, as both their careers began a steady downturn after the fight.

Four months after defeating Ken Shamrock, Frye returned to MMA to face Japanese professional wrestler [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] at ''[[Pride 21]]'' on June 23, 2002. In a fight that many consider to be one of Pride's most exciting matches, Frye and Takayama clinched in a [[Fighting in ice hockey|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. This would happen three times in the fight, until the referee stopped the bout after Frye mounted Takayama, who was visibly much worse for the wear.

On August 28, 2002, he took on [[Jérôme Le Banner]] in a [[kickboxing]] match at the K-1/Pride co-promoted event ''[[Pride Shockwave]]'', fighting in front of 91,107 people. 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 [[Throw (grappling)|thrown]] when he tried to tie up with Le Banner. After being given a [[standing eight count]] early on, he was forced into a corner and knocked unconscious with a right [[Hook (boxing)|hook]] at the 1:30 mark of the first round.

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]]. Taking his first loss since fighting Mark Coleman in 1996, Frye was submitted by Yoshida via [[armbar]] in the first round. While Frye did not tap out, the referee stopped the bout in fear of serious injury.

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. In a rather long battle, Frye lost a [[unanimous decision]] to Coleman after three rounds.

Another rematch was on tap for ''[[Pride Shockwave 2003]]'' on New Year's Eve, 2003 when Frye faced Gary Goodridge for the third time. The fight lasted only 39 seconds; Goodridge scored a vicious high kick to the head, knocking Frye out completely.

===K-1 and Hero's (2004–2006)===
Don Frye departed Pride on the back of four consecutive losses and next appeared fighting under MMA rules in K-1. His first fight, with [[Yoshihiro Nakao]] at ''[[K-1 MMA ROMANEX]]'' on May 22, 2004, ended in a [[No contest (boxing)|no contest]] when Frye could not continue due to a cut sustained from an accidental [[headbutt]] early in round one.

Don Frye and Yoshihiro Nakao rematched at ''[[K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite]]'' on December 31, 2004, with Nakao coming out on top and winning a unanimous decision, resigning the American to his sixth unsuccessful fight.

After another brief retirement, he returned in K-1's [[Hero's]] branch in May 2006 to fight [[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]] at ''Hero's 5''. Akebono spent much of the fight clinching with the much smaller Frye and pushing him into the ropes, but Frye was able to knock the former sumo wrestler down and secure a [[guillotine choke]] submission in the second round.

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|King of the Cage: Predator]]'' in [[Globe, Arizona]]. After three rounds of what many considered to be a lackluster fight, the bout was ruled a [[Draw (tie)|draw]].

In his sophomore Hero's fight, he defeated [[Yoshihisa Yamamoto (wrestler)|Yoshihisa Yamamoto]] at ''Hero's 6'' on August 5, 2006, using the rear naked choke towards the end of the first round. In his last appearance in the promotion, Frye faced [[Kim Min-Soo (judoka)|Kim Min-Soo]] at ''Hero's 7'' on October 9, 2006, and knocked him out with a right hook in the second round.

===Later career and sporadic comebacks (2007{{ndash}}present)===
Don Frye made his Pride return after an almost four-year hiatus, taking on [[James Thompson (fighter)|James Thompson]] at the last promotion's last ever event, ''[[Pride 34]]'' on April 8, 2007. After an aggressive start, Thompson landed two [[soccer kick]]s that dazed Frye. Thompson landed several more blows on a defenseless Frye before the referee called the fight at 6:25 in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ricardo Mendoza |first1=Ricardo |title=PRIDE 34 REVIEW: THE END OF AN ERA |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/pride-34-review-the-end-of-an-era-2 |website=MMA Weekly |date=7 April 2007 |access-date=26 November 2018}}</ref>

That year, he also assembled and coached the [[Arizona]]-based [[Tucson Scorpions]] in the [[International Fight League]], but on November 9, 2007, announced on TAGG radio that he and the IFL had parted ways. They were one of four new teams established at the beginning of the 2007 season. 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.

Following a forty-seven second knockout of Bryan Pardoe at ''NLF: Heavy Hands'' in [[Dallas, Texas]], in January 2008, Don Frye announced on February 8, 2008, on TAGG Radio that he would be fighting [[Oleg Taktarov]] on the debut card for [[YAMMA Pit Fighting]] on April 11 in the [[Trump Taj Mahal]] in [[Atlantic City]], New Jersey. The fight was to be the first fight in YAMMA's Masters Division, a division for fighters over the age of 39. However, he had to withdraw due to an injury and was replaced by UFC 1 entree [[Patrick Smith (fighter)|Patrick Smith]].<ref>[http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/08/yamma-pit-fighting-books-don-frye-vs-oleg-taktarov-for-april-11/ YAMMA Pit Fighting Books Don Frye vs. Oleg Taktarov for April 11 - MMAjunkie.com<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212175247/http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/08/yamma-pit-fighting-books-don-frye-vs-oleg-taktarov-for-april-11/ |date=February 12, 2008 }}</ref>

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 (mixed martial arts)|DEEP]] organization, fighting Japanese fan favorite [[Ikuhisa Minowa]]. Minowa won via [[kneebar]] at the 3:56 mark of round one, dropping Frye's record in Japan to 8-6. From there, he signed with [[Shark Fights]] stateside the following year. His submitted Ritch Moss at ''Shark Fights 4'' in May 2009 but suffered a quick TKO loss at the hands of [[Dave Herman (fighter)|Dave Herman]] at ''Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes'' four months later.<ref>[http://mmajunkie.com/news/16164/pee-wee-herman-earns-swift-tko-win-over-don-frye-at-shark-fights-6.mma USA Today, ''Weekend results: Filho, Rizzo win; Frye falls''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915174147/http://mmajunkie.com/news/16164/pee-wee-herman-earns-swift-tko-win-over-don-frye-at-shark-fights-6.mma |date=September 15, 2009 }}</ref>

After a two-year absence and at forty-six years of age, Frye was scheduled to face Mike Gonzalez for the Gladiator Challenge Light Heavyweight title. However, Gonzalez was injured, so Frye instead faced Ruben Villareal in a rematch at Heavyweight. Frye lost via knock-out.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP_yiSm7480 5150 Fightwear Presents - Don Frye vs "Warpath" Villarreal]</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==
===New Japan Pro-Wrestling (1997–2002, 2004)===
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name        = Don Frye
| names       = '''Don Frye''' <br> The Predator
| image       = 
| image_size  = 
| caption     = 
| alt         = 
| height      = 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
| weight      = {{convert|242|lb|abbr=on}}
| real_height = 
| real_weight = 
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1965|11|23}}
| birth_place = [[Sierra Vista, Arizona]], [[United States]]
| death_date  = 
| death_place = 
| resides     = 
| billed      = [[Sierra Vista, Arizona]]
| trainer     = [[Curt Hennig]] <br> [[Brad Rheingans]]
| debut       = August 2, 1997
| retired     = 2021 
| website     = 
}}

After leaving the UFC, Frye went into [[professional wrestling]] and was trained by [[Brad Rheingans]] and [[Curt Hennig]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Meltzer, Dave|page=52|year=2001|title=[[Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlers|Wrestling Observer's Tributes: Remembering Some of the World's Greatest Wrestlers]]|publisher=Winding Stair Press|isbn=1553660854}}</ref> He debuted for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW) in August 1997, defeating [[Kazuyuki Fujita]] in his first match. By 1998, Frye began to rise in the ranks as he quickly became one of the company's lead [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]s. On April 4, 1998, Frye won the Antonio Final Opponent tournament and earned the right to wrestle NJPW founder and wrestling legend [[Antonio Inoki]] in his retirement match, which took place later that night. Frye lost that fight. After a brief feud with [[Kensuke Sasaki]] at the end of that year, Frye joined [[Masahiro Chono]]'s new stable, Team 2000, in early 1999. After joining, Frye would spend most of 1999 and early 2000 feuding with [[Scott Norton]] over the unofficial title of Gaijin Ace, took part in the G1 Tag League in 1999 with Chono, and make two challenges for the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] but was unsuccessful in each attempt.<ref name="purolove">{{cite web |url=http://www.purolove.com/njpw/history/iwgphwdefenses.php#43 |title = PUROLOVE.com}}</ref> 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.

After being in Team 2000 for two years, Frye left the group and joined Keiji Mutoh's new stable, [[BATT (professional wrestling)|BATT]], where he made a third attempt at the IWGP title in July 2001 but came up short again, falling to Kazuyuki Fujita.<ref name="purolove" /> In September 2001, Frye won the G1 World Climax tournament. After the tournament win, Frye left NJPW and returned to MMA. 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]].<ref name="puroresufan.com">{{Cite web | url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/notes/050202.html | title=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref>
From October to November 2004, Frye returned to NJPW for two appearances as a member of Masahiro Chono's [[Black New Japan]] stable, teaming with Chono in a tag match defeating [[Hiroyoshi Tenzan]] and [[Yuji Nagata]] and then teaming with [[Scott Norton]] and [[Manabu Nakanishi]] in a winning effort against [[Shinsuke Nakamura]], [[Yutaka Yoshie]], and [[Blue Wolf]].

===Other promotions (2003{{ndash}}2021)===
In a brief comeback to professional wrestling in 2003, he competed for Fighting World of Japan on two occasions. He also appeared for [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW) on October 26, 2003, at their 31st anniversary, challenging [[Toshiaki Kawada]] for the [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]] in a losing effort.<ref name="cagematch">{{Cite web | url=http://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=4080&view=matches#matches |title = Don Frye « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - the Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref>

On October 2, 2005, Frye took part in AJPW's Wrestle-1 Grand Prix where he lost to [[Eddie Fatu|Jamal]].<ref name="cagematch" />

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.<ref name="cagematch" /> In October 2008, Frye wrestled at the Pro Wrestling Expo shows, teaming with [[Yoshihiro Takayama]] in a losing effort to [[Masahiro Chono]] and [[Scott Norton]] on the first day, then losing a six-man tag on the third day.

Frye returned to a professional wrestling ring on March 17, 2013, at an event held by AJPW in Tokyo. 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130318-00000001-spnavi | script-title=ja:高山とフライが再び殴り合い…試合後も場外乱闘 | date=March 18, 2013 | access-date=March 17, 2013 | work=Sports Navi | publisher=[[Yahoo!]] | language=ja | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413122602/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130318-00000001-spnavi | archive-date=April 13, 2013 }}</ref>

==Acting==
Don Frye began acting in movies with ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' (2004), playing the role of Captain Douglas Gordon. 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. The director of the film, [[Ryuhei Kitamura]], mentioned that he wrote the role with Frye in mind since he was a fan of Frye's matches. Kitamura found Frye's tough-guy/good-heart demeanor to be the perfect role for the character of Gordon. Curiously, for a prominent character in a Japanese-language film, all of his dialogue was spoken in English.

The year 2005 turned out to be a busy year for Frye as he made several appearances. In ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'', he played Rocco Piedra, the father of a wrestling family who dreams on marrying their child off to a famous wrestler. He also appeared in ''[[No Rules (film)|No Rules]]'' and starred in ''Nagurimono''. In 2006, he made an appearance as an [[Aryan Brotherhood]] member in ''[[Miami Vice (film)|Miami Vice]]'', lent his voice for ''[[The Ant Bully (film)|The Ant Bully]]'', and appeared in the [[Rob Schneider]] prison comedy ''[[Big Stan]]'', along with fellow mixed martial artists [[Randy Couture]] and [[Bob Sapp]] in 2007.

He played FBI agent Clarence Hurt in ''[[Public Enemies (2009 film)|Public Enemies]]'', by director [[Michael Mann (director)|Michael Mann]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/4033/don-frye-on-kimbo-fight-yamma-and-acting-gig.mma |title=Don Frye on Kimbo Fight, YAMMA and Acting Gig - MMAjunkie.com |access-date=2008-06-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402064612/http://mmajunkie.com/news/4033/don-frye-on-kimbo-fight-yamma-and-acting-gig.mma |archive-date=2008-04-02 }}</ref>

Since he competed in Pride FC, he has also appeared in several commercial ads in Japan. The latest one is a television ad for a [[yakisoba]] product named "UFO" produced by [[Nissin Foods]] (an executive officer was a fierce fan of Frye).
His significant popularity in Japan in the 2000s might be attributed to his "good old tough fuddy-duddy" character reminiscent of sheriffs in some 1960s American movies.

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". He is credited on [[IMDb]] for the role as "Wrestling Opponent".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1537140/ |title = The Gang Wrestles for the Troops| website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>

Frye also appeared in a new AT&T mini-movie advertisement for the Blackberry Bold 9700 entitled "Stay One Step Ahead" during the 2009 holiday season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/don-frye-new-t-comercial-1110934/ |title=Don Frye in new AT&T comercial - Sherdog Mixed Martial Arts Forums |access-date=2009-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717050022/http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/don-frye-new-t-comercial-1110934/ |archive-date=2011-07-17 }}</ref>

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''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3914362/ |title = Stick 10 Even More Swag: The United League of Stereotypes| website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> Frye also portrayed mayor and former wrestler [[Mike Haggar]] in the ''[[Final Fight]]'' fan film "The Broken Gear".<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.destructoid.com/final-fight-fan-movie-features-some-brutal-awesome-fights-and-the-perfect-mike-haggar-511133.phtml | title=Final Fight fan-movie features some brutal, awesome fights and the perfect Mike Haggar| date=4 July 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Frye is divorced and has two daughters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sportsbore.com/videos/don-the-predator-frye/ |title=Don "The Predator" Frye |access-date=2011-06-07 |publisher=Sportsbore.com |date=2010-02-17}}</ref>

==Championships and awards==

===Mixed martial arts===
*'''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**George Tragos Award (2024)
*'''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
**[[UFC Hall of Fame]] (Pioneer Wing, Class of 2016)
**[[List of UFC Champions#Tournament winners|UFC 8 Tournament Winner]]
**[[List of UFC Champions#Tournament winners|UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Tournament Winner]]
**[[List of UFC Champions#Tournament winners|UFC 10 Tournament Runner-Up]]
**[[UFC 45|UFC Viewer's Choice Award]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=856 |title = UFC 45: Revolution|date = 8 March 2008}}</ref>
**'''[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|UFC Encyclopedia Awards]]'''
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Fight of the Night]] (Three times)<small> vs. [[Amaury Bitetti]], [[Mark Coleman]] and [[Tank Abbott]]</small><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 157|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 158|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref name="UltUlt96">{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 160|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Submission of the Night]] (One time)<small> vs. [[Mark Hall (fighter)|Mark Hall]]</small><ref name="UltUlt96"/>
**One of only two fighters to win a UFC Tournament and Ultimate Ultimate Tournament ([[Dan Severn]])
** Tied ([[Sergei Pavlovich]]) for the second [[List of UFC records#Most consecutive knockouts - All fighters|longest knockout win streak in UFC history]] (6)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsbrief.com/ufc/38854-power-puncher-pavlovich-heavyweight-title-record-extending-knockout/|title=Power Puncher Pavlovich Wants Heavyweight Title After Record Extending Knockout|date=April 23, 2023|work=Sports Brief|author=Byron Pillay}}</ref>
*'''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter#Fight of the Year|Fight of the Year]] (2002) <small>vs. Yoshihiro Takayama on June 23</small>

===Professional wrestling===
*'''[[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'''
**[[Antonio Inoki]] Final Opponent Tournament Winner (1998)<ref name="wiawrestling">{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/newjap/njother.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2010-06-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813023829/http://100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/newjap/njother.htm |archive-date=2011-08-13 }}</ref>
**G-1 World League (2001)<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/japan/newjapan/njindex.html | title=New Japan Pro Wrestling}}</ref>
**Greatest Gaijin Grapple Section (2002)<ref name="puroresufan.com"/>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**Ranked No. 175 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated|PWI 500]]'' in 1999 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50099.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011122060527/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50099.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2001-11-22 |access-date=2014-01-08 }}</ref>
**Ranked No. 247 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the "PWI Years" in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2008-09-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515112842/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |archive-date=2011-05-15 }}</ref>

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|draws=1
|nc=
|ko-wins=2
|ko-losses=4
|dec-wins=0
|dec-losses=1
|dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
|-
|8
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–5–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} David Kilgour
|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}
|4 (4), {{small|1:36}}
|Dec 11, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Reseda Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|7
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–4–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Leon Carter
|KO
|? (4), 
|Oct 1, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|MEX}} {{small|[[Tijuana]], Mexico}}
|
|-
|6
|{{draw}}Draw
|{{nowrap|2–3–1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Heath
|{{abbr|D|Draw}}
|4
|Jul 31, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Reseda Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|5
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–3
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} David Dixon
|KO
|? (4), 
|May 21, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Great Western Forum]], [[Inglewood, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|4
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–2
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Fred Heath
|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}
|4
|Mar 27, 1990
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Reseda Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|3
|{{no2}}Loss
|2–1
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Rocky Pepeli
|KO
|? (4), 
|Oct 24, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Reseda Country Club, Reseda, California, U.S.}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Troy Baudoin
|KO
|? (4), 
|Sep 26, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|[[Reseda Country Club]], [[Reseda, California]], U.S.}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} Luis Mora
|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}
|1 (4), 
|Aug 28, 1989
|style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|USA}} {{small|Sun Devil House, [[Tempe, Arizona]], U.S.}}
|
|}

==Kickboxing record==
{{Kickboxing record start|title=Kickboxing record|record='''0 wins''', '''1 loss''', '''0 draws'''}}
|-
|-  bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 2002-08-28 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jérôme Le Banner]] || [[Pride Shockwave]] || [[Tokyo, Japan]] || KO (right hook) || 1 || 1:30 || 0–1
|-
| colspan=9 | '''''Legend''''': {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{end}}

== Mixed martial arts record ==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 1
| nc= 1
| ko-wins= 8
| ko-losses= 5
| sub-wins= 10
| sub-losses= 2
| dec-wins= 1
| dec-losses= 2
| dq-wins= 1
| dq-losses= 
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| {{nowrap|20–9–1 (1)}}
| Ruben Villareal
| KO (punch)
| Gladiator Challenge: Mega Stars
| {{dts|2011|December|11}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:30
| [[Lincoln, California]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 20–8–1 (1)
| [[Dave Herman (fighter)|Dave Herman]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[2009 in Shark Fights#Shark Fights 6: Stars .26 Stripes|Shark Fights 6: Stars & Stripes]]
| {{dts|2009|September|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:00
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 20–7–1 (1)
| Ritch Moss
| Submission (rear–naked choke)
| [[2009 in Shark Fights#Shark Fights 4: Richards vs Schoonover|Shark Fights 4: Richards vs Schoonover]]
| {{dts|2009|May|2}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:48
| [[Lubbock, Texas]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 19–7–1 (1)
| [[Ikuhisa Minowa]]
| Submission (kneebar)
| [[2008 in Deep#Deep: Gladiator|Deep: Gladiator]]
| {{dts|2008|August|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:56
| [[Okayama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19–6–1 (1)
| Bryan Pardoe
| KO (punches)
| NLF: Heavy Hands
| {{dts|2008|January|26}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:47
| [[Dallas, Texas]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 18–6–1 (1)
| [[James Thompson (fighter)|James Thompson]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[Pride 34]]
| {{dts|2007|April|8}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 6:23
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18–5–1 (1)
| [[Kim Min-Soo (judoka)|Kim Min-Soo]]
| KO (punch)
| Hero's 7
| {{dts|2006|October|9}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:47
| [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–5–1 (1)
| [[Yoshihisa Yamamoto (wrestler)|Yoshihisa Yamamoto]]
| Submission (rear–naked choke)
| Hero's 6
| {{dts|2006|August|5}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:52
| [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| {{nowrap|16–5–1}} (1)
| Ruben Villareal
| Draw
| [[2006 in King of the Cage#KOTC: Predator|KOTC: Predator]]
| {{dts|2006|May|13}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Globe, Arizona]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–5 (1)
| [[Akebono Taro|Akebono]]
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| Hero's 5
| {{dts|2006|May|3}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:50
| [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–5 (1)
| [[Yoshihiro Nakao]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite]]
| {{dts|2004|December|31}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Osaka, Osaka|Osaka]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{nocontest}}NC
| align=center| 15–4 (1)
| [[Yoshihiro Nakao]]
| NC (cut caused by accidental headbutt)
| [[K-1 MMA ROMANEX]]
| {{dts|2004|May|22}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:19
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–4
| [[Gary Goodridge]]
| KO (head kick)
| [[Pride Shockwave 2003]]
| {{dts|2003|December|31}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:39
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–3
| [[Mark Coleman]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[Pride 26]]
| {{dts|2003|June|8}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 15–2
| [[Hidehiko Yoshida]]
| Technical Submission (armbar)
| [[Pride 23]]
| {{dts|2002|November|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:32
| [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–1
| [[Yoshihiro Takayama]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[Pride 21]]
| {{dts|2002|June|23}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 6:10
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| {{small|Fight of the Year (2002).}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–1
| [[Ken Shamrock]]
| Decision (split)
| [[Pride 19]]
| {{dts|2002|February|24}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–1
| [[Cyril Abidi]]
| Submission (rear–naked choke)
| [[Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye|Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye 2001]]
| {{dts|2001|December|31}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:33
| [[Saitama, Saitama|Saitama]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–1
| [[Gilbert Yvel]]
| DQ (eye gouging)
| [[Pride 16]]
| {{dts|2001|September|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 7:27
| [[Osaka]], [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–1
| Eric Valdez
| Submission (choke)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 5
| {{dts|1997|June|20}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:49
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–1
| [[Tank Abbott]]
| Submission (rear–naked choke)
| rowspan=3| [[Ultimate Ultimate 96]]
| rowspan=3| {{dts|1996|December|7}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:22
| rowspan=3| [[Birmingham, Alabama]], [[United States]]
| {{small|Wins the Ultimate Ultimate 96 Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–1
| [[Mark Hall (fighter)|Mark Hall]]
| Submission (achilles lock)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:20
| {{small|UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Semi-Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–1
| [[Gary Goodridge]]
| Submission (fatigue)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 11:19
| {{small|UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Quarter-Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–1
| [[Mark Hall (fighter)|Mark Hall]]
| Submission (forearm choke)
| U-Japan
| {{dts|1996|November|17}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:29
| [[Japan]]
| 
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 6–1
| [[Mark Coleman]]
| TKO (punches)
| rowspan=3| [[UFC 10]]
| rowspan=3| {{dts|1996|July|12}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 11:34
| rowspan=3| [[Birmingham, Alabama]], [[United States]]
| {{small|For the UFC 10 Tournament Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–0
| [[Brian Johnston (fighter)|Brian Johnston]]
| TKO (submission to elbow)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:37
| {{small|UFC 10 Tournament Semi-Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–0
| [[Mark Hall (fighter)|Mark Hall]]
| TKO (punches)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 10:21
| {{small|UFC 10 Tournament Quarter-Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| [[Amaury Bitetti]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 9]]
| {{dts|1996|May|17}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 9:22
| [[Detroit, Michigan]], [[United States]]
| 
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| [[Gary Goodridge]]
| Submission (position)
| rowspan=3| [[UFC 8]]
| rowspan=3| {{dts|1996|February|16}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:14
| rowspan=3| [[Bayamón, Puerto Rico|Bayamón]], [[Puerto Rico]]
| {{small|Wins the UFC 8 Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| [[Sam Adkins (fighter)|Sam Adkins]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:48
| {{small|UFC 8 Tournament Semi-Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Thomas Ramirez
| KO (punch)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:08
| {{small|UFC 8 Tournament Quarter-Final.}}
{{end}}
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Don-Frye-124|title=Don|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-12-20}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Film
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2004 || ''[[Godzilla: Final Wars]]'' || Captain Douglas Gordon || 
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005 || ''[[No Rules (film)|No Rules]]'' || 1978 Fighter || 
|-
| ''Nagurimono: Love & Kill'' || Unknown ||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2006 || ''[[Miami Vice (film)|Miami Vice]]'' || Long-Haired Aryan Brother || 
|-
| ''[[The Ant Bully (film)|The Ant Bully]]'' || Soldier Ant || Voice
|-
| ''Honor'' || Shay || 
|-
| ''[[Just Another Romantic Wrestling Comedy]]'' || Rocco Piedra || 
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Big Stan]]'' || Nation Member || 
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Public Enemies (2009 film)|Public Enemies]]'' || FBI Agent Clarence Hurt || 
|-
| 2010 || ''[[13 (2010 film)|13]]'' || Handler #1 || 
|-
| 2012 || ''Badass Brock'' || Brock Bannon ||
|-
| 2013 || ''Within'' || Grizzled Man || Short 
|-
| 2014 || ''[[Noah (2014 film)|Noah]]'' || Warrior || 
|-
| 2014 || ''Stick 10: The United League of Stereotypes'' || Matt Ninesister || Voice
|-
| 2019 || ''Animal Among Us'' || Burl Wolf || 
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2009 || ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' || Wrestling Opponent || Episode: "The Gang Wrestles for the Troops"
|-
|}

==Footnotes==
{{refbegin}}
# {{note|SOklahoman}} 'Injuries KO OU Wrestler', ''The Sunday Oklahoman'', Mac Bentley, 23 October 1988
# {{note|SOklahoman}} 'Three Cowboys Win Titles At St. Louis Mat Tourney', ''The Sunday Oklahoman'', 20 November 1988
# {{note|Providence}} 'Fighter doesn't understand the furor', ''The Providence Journal-Bulletin'', Mike Szostak, 12 June 1996
{{refend}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{UFC|id=don-frye|name=Don Frye}}
* {{Sherdog|name=Don Frye}}

{{UFC Hall of Fame}}
{{UFC Tournament Champions}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frye, Don}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:Boxers from Arizona]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:American male kickboxers]]
[[Category:Kickboxers from Arizona]]
[[Category:Heavyweight kickboxers]]
[[Category:American male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists from Arizona]]
[[Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing judo]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing freestyle wrestling]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling]]
[[Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:American male professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:American catch wrestlers]]
[[Category:American male judoka]]
[[Category:American male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Arizona State Sun Devils wrestlers]]
[[Category:Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestlers]]
[[Category:Male actors from Arizona]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Pennsylvania Dutch descent]]
[[Category:People from Sierra Vista, Arizona]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Cochise County, Arizona]]
[[Category:American expatriate sportspeople in Japan]]
[[Category:Professional wrestlers who competed in MMA]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]
[[Category:Actors from Cochise County, Arizona]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]