Frank Trigg

Born in Rochester, New York, Trigg was one of seven children, Trigg’s early years were not always easy. Growing up in a home with seven brothers, money was tight. That’s how Trigg discovered grappling. Naturally, with so many boys in the household, sibling rivalry was rampant, particularly when it came to athletics. Excelling in sports was a highly revered goal, and Trigg’s natural athleticism made people take notice. Trigg developed an early interest in martial arts. However, the sport’s requisite discipline and sacrifices were intense on the grade schooler, and he lost interest until he discovered he had a gift for wrestling at the age of 12. It was then that he resumed his martial arts studies seriously. It was not long before Trigg caught the eye of athletic scouts like wrestling coach Jack Spates. Recruited by Spates to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma, Trigg’s speed, agility and heart, distinguished him from teammates. Spates’s tutelage went beyond wrestling moves. He educated Trigg about the business world and the intricacies of corporate America, lessons that would serve the budding entrepreneur well.

Mixed martial arts career

In 1995, Trigg began studying judo under famed Sensei and former Olympian, Patrick Burris. It was while training with Burris that Trigg earned his first black belt and was introduced to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Affairs and Administration in 1997, Trigg took a coaching position at the University of Oklahoma while continuing to compete on his own at the amateur and professional levels. In 1999, Trigg fought at Pride 8 in Japan, defeating Fabiano Iha via TKO due to strikes. Less than a year later, in early 2000, Trigg qualified as an Olympic Trials Finalist in wrestling. Beating some of the World’s best athletes convinced Trigg that a legitimate professional wrestling and mixed martial arts career was the next step. By the end of 2000, Trigg fought the Shooto world champion Hayato Sakurai for his title. While Trigg initially controlled the bout, Sakurai staged a comeback and brutally knocked Trigg out in the second round due to knees, handing Trigg his first career loss. Trigg joined the World Fighting Alliance from 2001-2002, where he held the WFA welterweight title. Trigg was undefeated in WFA. After several successful years with the WFA, in 2003, Trigg joined the premier organization in the world for MMA, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Trigg earned an immediate title shot against champion Matt Hughes at UFC 45: Revolution. After a tactical grappling match-up early on, Trigg fell victim to a rear naked choke in the first round. Trigg rebounded quickly, defeating Dennis Hallman and Renato Verissimo in UFC 48 and UFC 50 to earn another shot at Hughes’ Welterweight Championship. In their second fight at UFC 52, Trigg had Hughes at the brink of defeat after an unintentional knee to the groin went unnoticed by the referee. Hughes went on to reverse position and submit Trigg by rear naked choke later in the first round in what is considered one of the great comebacks in UFC history. After this loss, fans of Frank Trigg affectionately termed the choke the “rear naked Trigg.” Trigg returned at UFC 54 to take on future welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre where he lost by a rear naked choke in the opening round. The loss would be Trigg’s final appearance in the UFC until UFC 103, almost 50 events later. Trigg participated in Rumble on the Rock’s 2006 welterweight tournament, winning his first round fight against Ronald Jhun. He was upset in the second round by Carlos Condit. Trigg remained inactive after that loss, focusing on his broadcasting job with Pride FC. He won the Icon Sport Middleweight title on December 6, 2006, TKO-ing Jason “Mayhem” Miller. His next fight was on at Pride 33, on February 24, 2007, against Middleweight Grand Prix champion Kazuo Misaki. Trigg out wrestled Misaki and maintained control on the ground, winning by a 30-27 unanimous decision. A month later, on March 31, 2007, Trigg unsuccessfully defended his Icon Sport middleweight title against Robbie Lawler, losing in the fourth round via KO. On December 17, 2007, Trigg beat Edwin Dewees in the first round by submission at HDNet Fights- Reckless Abandon.

At BAMMA 6, Trigg defeated British standout John Phillips by TKO (doctor stoppage) in round 1.[6] Trigg was scheduled to be the main event at BAMMA 7 against Tom Watson for the Middleweight title.[7] However, on August 9, it was announced that Watson had to pull out due to a back injury and would be replaced by Jim Wallhead in a non-title fight.[8] Trigg lost the fight via split decision. Personal life Frank Trigg has four children; Frankie, Kiara, Stone, and Lavin.[9] Trigg welcomed his son Stone in September 2008.[10] He welcomed his youngest, a boy named Lavin, on October 2, 2010.[11] Trigg is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.