Frank Trigg
 |
Name | Frank Trigg |
| Nickname | Twinkle Toes | |
| Association | Xtreme Couture | |
| Weight Class | Welterweight (170 lbs.) / Middleweight (185 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 8" (173 cm) | |
| Style | Wrestling, Judo | |
| Birth Date | May 7, 1972 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Country | USA | |
| Frank Trigg Pictures | Trigg's Official Site |
Dewey Franklin Trigg III a.k.a Frank "Twinkle Toes" Trigg is an American mixed martial artist, color commentator, proffesional wrestler, and co-host of MMAWeekly radio show and TAGG radio show. He is currently employed by TNA Wrestling. As a fighter, Trigg is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), PRIDE Fighting Championships, Rumble on the Rock, ICON Sport, and World Fighting Alliance.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 21 - 9 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 10 (T)KOs 6 Submissions 5 Decisions |
| Losses | 4 (T)KOs 4 Submissions 1 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Jim Wallhead | Decision (Split) | BAMMA 7: Trigg vs. Wallhead | 9/10/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | John Phillips | TKO (Doctor Stoppage) | BAMMA 6: Kong vs. Ninja | 5/21/2011 | 1 | 2:41 | |
| Win | Roy Neeman | TKO (Punches) | Israeli Fighting Championship: Genesis | 11/09/2010 | 1 | 2:36 | |
| Loss | Matt Serra | TKO (Punches) | UFC 109: Relentless | 2/06/2010 | 1 | 2:23 | Post-fight released from the UFC. |
| Loss | Josh Koscheck | TKO (Punches) | UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort | 9/19/2009 | 1 | 1:25 | First time back in UFC since 2005 and returned to welterweight. |
| Win | Danny Babcock | Decision (Unanimous) | XCF: Rumble in Racetown 1 | 2/14/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Falaniko Vitale | Decision (Unanimous) | Strikeforce: Payback | 10/03/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Makoto Takimoto | Decision (Unanimous) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 4 | 8/24/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Edwin Dewees | Submission (Kimura) | HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon | 12/15/2007 | 1 | 1:40 | |
| Loss | Robbie Lawler | KO (Punches) | Icon Sport: Epic | 3/31/2007 | 4 | 1:40 | Lost Icon Sport Middleweight Championship |
| Win | Kazuo Misaki | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE 33: Second Coming | 2/24/2007 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Jason Miller | TKO (Soccer Kicks) | Icon Sport: Mayhem vs. Trigg | 12/01/2006 | 2 | 2:53 | Won Icon Sport Middleweight Championship |
| Loss | Carlos Condit | Submission (Triangle Armbar) | ROTR 9: Rumble on the Rock 9 | 4/21/2006 | 1 | 1:22 | |
| Win | Ronald Jhun | Decision (Unanimous) | ROTR 8: Rumble on the Rock 8 | 1/20/2006 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Georges St. Pierre | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UFC 54: Boiling Point | 8/20/2005 | 1 | 4:09 | |
| Loss | Matt Hughes | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2 | 4/16/2005 | 1 | 4:05 | For UFC Welterweight Championship |
| Win | Renato Verissimo | TKO (Elbows) | UFC 50: The War of '04 | 10/22/2004 | 2 | 2:11 | |
| Win | Dennis Hallman | TKO (Punches) | UFC 48: Payback | 6/19/2004 | 1 | 4:15 | |
| Loss | Matt Hughes | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UFC 45: Revolution | 11/21/2003 | 1 | 3:54 | For UFC Welterweight Championship |
| Win | Dennis Hallman | TKO (Injury) | WFA 3: Level 3 | 11/23/2002 | 1 | 3:50 | Won WFA Welterweight Championship |
| Win | Jason Medina | Submission (Elbows) | WFA 2: Level 2 | 7/05/2002 | 1 | 3:43 | |
| Win | LaVerne Clark | Submission (Punches and Elbows) | WFA 1: World Fighting Alliance 1 | 11/03/2001 | 3 | 2:15 | |
| Loss | Hayato Sakurai | TKO (Knees) | Shooto: R.E.A.D. Final | 12/17/2000 | 2 | 2:25 | For Shooto Middleweight Championship |
| Win | Ray Cooper | Submission (Forearm Choke) | WEF: New Blood Conflict | 8/26/2000 | 2 | 3:05 | |
| Win | Fabiano Iha | TKO (Punches) | PRIDE 8 | 11/21/1999 | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Jean Jacques Machado | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | VTJ 1998: Vale Tudo Japan 1998 | 10/25/1998 | 3 | 0:20 | |
| Win | Marcelo Aguiar | TKO (Punches) | Shooto: Las Grabdes Viajes 3 | 5/13/1998 | 2 | 3:08 | |
| Win | Dan Gilbert | Submission (Forearm Choke) | USWF 7: Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7 | 10/18/1997 | 1 | 2:45 | Won USWF 7 Tournament |
| Win | Javier Buentello | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | USWF 7: Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7 | 10/18/1997 | 1 | 2:35 | |
| Win | Ali Elias | KO (Knee) | USWF 7: Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7 | 10/18/1997 | 1 | 10:36 | |
Biography
One of seven children raised by an African American father and a European American mother, Trigg's early years were not always easy. Growing up in a home with seven brothers, money was tight and food sometimes scarce. 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 took an immediate interest in martial arts. Barely old enough to spell his own name, the talented youngster developed a reputation for besting athletes twice his size and age. 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 and permanently.
It was not long before Trigg caught the eye of athletic scouts like legendary wrestling coach Jack Spates. Recruited by Spates to wrestle at the University of Oklahoma, Trigg’s speed, agility, and heart, distinguished him from his teammates. Spates' 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 simultaneously 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 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, indelibly solidifying his position as a wrestling great.
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 Champion Hayato Sakurai for his title. While Trigg initially controlled the bout, Sakurai staged a comeback and score a KO via knees in the second round, handing Trigg his first career loss.
Never one to be deterred, Trigg fought on. He 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 world-famous Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Organization. Trigg earned an immediate title shot against champion Matt Hughes at UFC 45. 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 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 affectionally 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.
Rumble on the Rock's Welterweight tournament in 2006 was Trigg’s next challenge. There, he won his first round fight against Ronald Jhun, but was upset in the second round by Carlos Condit.
Trigg remained inactive after that loss, focusing on his broadcasting job with PRIDE.
However, on December 1, 2006, Trigg's tenacity and hard work paid off. He won the Icon Sport Middleweight title by a TKO against Jason "Mayhem" Miller, cementing himself in the sports world as a multi-title holder and a mixed martial arts icon.
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.
Trigg took a well deserved break and continued his training at Xtreme Couture. Refocusing and re-energized, Trigg went on to win his next three fights. On December 17, 2007, Trigg beat Edwin Dewees in the first round by submission at HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon.
On August 24, 2008, Trigg traveled to Japan to compete at Sengoku 4 where he bested 2000 Judo Olympic Gold Medalist Makoto Takimoto via an unanimous decision.
On October 3, 2008, Trigg won an unanimous decision over Falaniko Vitale at Strikeforce: Payback in Denver, Colorado, and then he defeated Danny Babcock at XCF: Rumble in Racetown 1 on February 14, 2009.
Return to the UFC
After going on a four fight win streak upon losing the Icon Sport Middleweight Championship, Trigg signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC. His first fight back was against American Kickboxing Academy's Josh Koscheck. In an interview with FIGHT! Magazine, Trigg had this to say about his return to the UFC:
- "If I'm gonna end my career, I'm gonna end my career on a high note... I'd rather fail miserably in the UFC than go around beating a bunch of yahoos at small shows."
The return to the UFC was unsuccessful, as Koscheck battered Trigg, giving him a loss via TKO (Punches) at 1:25 of the first round. With the loss, Trigg's octagon return looked likely to be short lived. "I think Trigg is one of those guys (like Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic)," White said after the conclusion of the UFC 103 post-fight press conference. "These (other) guys are young and explosive. There's just a whole other level of talent out there, man, and that's the way it works. That's the way this business is."
- "If they say I’m done, I’m done," explained Trigg. "If the UFC cuts me, I’m done fighting. I don’t have the strength or determination to go fight in the minor leagues anymore. I’ve done it before."
Good luck would turn in Trigg's favor, as the UFC granted him another shot, scheduling him to face off against former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra. The bout took place at UFC 109: Relentless. The bout opened the main card event, and it started the show off nicely. Serra overcame his height and reach disadvantage in barrelling his way into exchanges with his head down. After establishing a successful attack to the body, Serra clipped Trigg on the chin with an overhand right, which sent the two-time welterweight contender to the mat. Three more straight rights to the prone Trigg, it was lights out, and Serra went on to win the Knockout of the Night Honors by TKO (Punches) in the first round.
Many expected Trigg to be subsequently cut from the UFC, and only a few days later Trigg confirmed that he had in fact been released from the promotion. At the time that he confirmed the release, Trigg stated that he was undecided if he'll pursue opportunities outside the organization.
Championships and Accomplishments
- Won USWF 7 Tournament
- Shooto Middleweight (170 lbs.) title challenger
- WFA Welterweight Champion (defeated Dennis Hallman for the title)
- 2X UFC Welterweight title challenger (both times against Matt Hughes)
- Former ICON Sport Middleweight Champion
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2008 - Present)
In addition to MMA, Frank Trigg is also an analyst and on-screen character in TNA Wrestling, aligning himself in a heel role with Kurt Angle. At No Surrender (2008) he faced A.J. Styles in an MMA style match, the match going to a draw due to an "unintentional" low blow by Trigg. The crowd was hostile to both combatants, chanting "This is bullshit", "We want wrestling", and "Fire Russo". After the match, Styles beat down Trigg using a kendo stick. Trigg has not appeared since the match.
Triggonomics
Trigg is also an entrepreneur, with ventures including a partnership in a sports training facility, a multi-media marketing company an urban streetwear line, Triggonomics.
Personal Life
Frank Trigg is married and has three children. Trigg and his wife welcomed a son named Stone in September 2008.
Trigg is a partner in a gym called R1 Training Center with Rico Chiapparelli, owns an urban athletic wear line called Triggonomics, and runs a entertainment company. Frank appeared on an episode of The King Of Queens and appeared as a contestant on the VH1 reality television program Kept, trying to win the affections of former supermodel Jerry Hall and to become Jerry's kept man. Trigg was eliminated in 10th place of 12 contestants. Trigg can be most recently seen as a ringside trainer in the movie Redbelt.
Trigg is also a former fight commentator for PRIDE Fighting Championships. Lately, Trigg has been working for TNA wrestling along side buddy Kurt Angle on the show TNA IMPACT.
