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 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mmahistorypodcast?igsh=aHVweHdncXQycHBy&utm_source=qrSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3q8KsfqrSQSjkdPLkdtNWb?si=aL3D5Y3aTDi-PQZdweWL8gApple Podcast MMA History PodcastYouTube https://youtube.com/@MMAHistoryPodcast?si=bj1RBXTZ2X82tv_JOutro song: Power - https://tunetank.com/t/2gji/1458-powerMike - The MMA Detective - @mikedavis632 Cash App - $mikedavis1231Venmo - Mike-Davis-63ZELLE: Cutthroatmma@gmail.com / ph#: 773-491-5052 Thank You for your support#MMAHistoryPodcast #FrankTrigg #EarlyMMA #UFC