Frank Trigg Before the UFC | MMA History Podcast #341

This week on the MMA History Podcast episode 341, hosts Joey Venti and the MMA Detective Mike Davis sit down with two-time UFC welterweight title challenger, Hollywood stuntman and actor Frank Trigg for a raw, unfiltered look at the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. Trigg shares how he coached a talented high school wrestler named Kid Yamamoto in Phoenix before the Japanese star became a Pride FC standout, the real reasons Yamamoto was deported, and the explosive behind-the-scenes fallout from the infamous Rickson Gracie versus Rico Chiapparelli showdown that got Chiapparelli uninvited from major grappling circles. From his time with Real American Wrestling alongside the likes of Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, the first Abu Dhabi Combat Club tournament against Renzo Gracie, early Japan promotions including Vale Tudo Japan against Jean Jacques Machado, Pride Bushido commentating, and the cutthroat realities of 1990s fight money and worked matches, Trigg delivers stories and details few others have ever heard. You think you know Frank Trigg? Think again. Subscribe to the MMA History Podcast for more exclusive interviews preserving the true history of the sport.

0:00 start

0:30 MMA History Podcast intro

1:02 Joey Venti’s guest introduction

1:20 interview start

1:44 training at RAW

2:51 Reality super fighting tournament

4:50 Rico Chiapparelli forced to leave Renzo Gracie’s gym 9:40 wrestlers banned from early ADCC

11:26 high school state titles

12:57 transferring to Phoenix College

13:30 experience living with Homer Moore

15:39 coaching Kid Yamamoto

17:43 manager Rich Hamilton

18:54 training with Townsend Saunders

19:59 interactions with Ron Tripp

20:16 meeting Pat Burris

23:45 Frank Trigg vs Bill Simpson

24:36 meeting the Lions Den

27:35 thoughts on Oklahoma wrestling

29:32 Paulo Filho Pride Bushido incident

33:50 Frank Trigg vs Dan Gilbert

34:49 Frank Trigg vs Ali Elias

35:53 receiving invite to ADCC

37:24 Frank Trigg vs Renzo Gracie (ADCC)

39:13 Gracie losses being erased

41:20 Rickson Gracie asking for large payment

44:01 training with Lyota Machida

46:12 Mark Shultz worked fight

48:42 experience with Antonio Inoki

51:31 gambling problems in combat sports

53:18 IFC cancelled event

55:50 Andy Foster building a cage with chicken wire

58:18 Frank Trigg vs Marcelo Aguiar

59:28 Frank Trigg vs Jean Jacques Machado

1:01:49 fighting in different promotions

1:03:05 Pride FC Tax evasion

1:04:24 UFC screwed over buying Pride FC

1:07:53 reason for leaving commentary job

1:11:28 reffing from a fighters perspective

1:14:34 Frank Trigg vs Fabiano Iha

1:18:10 Dan Henderson and Rico Chiapparelli’s friendship 1:18:55 dealings with promoter Jamie Levine

1:24:23 leaving wrestling to become a fighter

1:29:29 experience with Ryan Bennett

1:32:23 Ryan Bennett’s departure from UFC

1:35:09 leaking Red Devil fight deal with the UFC

1:36:54 reason for Matt Hughes rivalry

1:38:14 Frank Trigg vs Hayato Sakurai

1:39:59 Plugs/ promotions

1:41:27 interview wrap up

1:43:43 outro/ closing thoughts

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