Frank Trigg

MMAstatsbox|name=Frank Trigg
nick=Twinkle Toes


height=5'9"
weight=185 lbs
birthdate=birth date and age|year=1972|month=5|day=7
fightingfrom=Las Vegas, Nevada
hometown=Rochester, New York
fightteam=Xtreme Couture
fightstyle=Wrestling
wins=18
losses=6
draws=0
ko=8
nocontest=0
submissions=6|

Dewey Franklin "Frank" Trigg III (born May 7, 1972) is an American mixed martial artist, color commentator, pro wrestler and co-host of MMAWeekly radio show and TAGG radio show. [http://taggradio.com/ TAGG radio, which Trigg is a co-host of.] ] He is currently employed by TNA Wrestling. As a fighter, Trigg is a veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Rumble on the Rock, Icon Sport and World Fighting Alliance.

Biography

One of seven children raised by an African American father and a Native 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, spurred on by a diagnosis of Asperger syndrome 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 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 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 Organization (UFC). 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.

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.

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 has gone on to win his last three fights. On December 17, 2007, Trigg beat Edwin Dewees in the first round by submission at HDNet Fghts- Reckless Abandon. [2]

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.

Most recently, on October 3, 2008, Trigg won an unanimous decision over Falaniko Vitale at Strikeforce Payback in Denver, Colorado.

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 AJ 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.

TRIGGONOMICS

As if fighting and broadcasting were not enough to keep the expert athlete busy, Trigg is an accomplished entrepreneur. His ventures include a partnership in a sports training facility and a multi-media marketing company. In addition, Trigg is taking his brand global with the launch of his urban streetwear line, TRIGGONOMICS. Specifically designed "to go with everything", each TRIGGONOMICS separate is ready to wear and tailored to fit the particular buyer's lifestyle and body. http://www.triggonomics.com

Personal life

Frank Trigg is married and has two children. [http://www.triggonomics.com/Articles.asp?ID=134 The Frank Trigg Story - Triggonomics Urban Athletic Gear for the Gym, Club and Street ] ] Trigg and his wife welcomed a son named Stone in September 2008. [ [http://www.myspace.com/triggonomics] ]

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 marketing 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 " [http://www.hollywood.com/movie/Redbelt/3680701 Redbelt] ".

Trigg is also a former fight commentator for PRIDE Fighting Championships.

Mixed martial arts record

MMArecordbox
wins=18
losses=6
ko-wins=8
ko-losses=2
sub-wins=6
sub-losses=4
dec-wins=4
dec-losses=0{| style="font-size: 85%; text-align: left;" class="wikitable sortable" width="100%"
-!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Date!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Result!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Opponent!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Method!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Event!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Round!style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3"|Notes
-

October 3, 2008
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Falaniko Vitale
Decision(Unanimous)|
Round 3, 5:00
-
August 28, 2008
yes2Win
flagicon|Japan Makoto Takimoto
Decision(Unanimous)
Sengoku - Fourth Battle
Round 3, 5:00
-
December 15, 2007
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Edwin Dewees
Submission (kimura)
HDNet Fights - Reckless Abandon
Round 1, 1:40
-
March 31, 2007
no2Loss
flagicon|USA Robbie Lawler
KO (Punches)
Icon Sport - Epic
Round 4, 1:40
Loses the Middleweight Championship.
-
February 24, 2007
yes2Win
flagicon|Japan Kazuo Misaki
Decision (Unanimous)
Pride 33: Second Coming
Round 3, 5:00
-
December 2, 2006
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Jason "Mayhem" Miller
TKO
Icon Sport
Round 2, 2:30
Won the Middleweight Championship
-
April 21, 2006
no2Loss
flagicon|USA Carlos Condit
Submission (Triangle Armbar)
Rumble on the Rock 9
Round 1, 1:22
-
January 20, 2006
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Ronald Jhun
Decision (Unanimous)
Rumble on the Rock 8
Round 3, 5:00
-
August 20, 2005
no2Loss
flagicon|Canada Georges St. Pierre
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
UFC 54: Boiling Point
Round 1, 4:09
-
April 16, 2005
no2Loss
flagicon|USA Matt Hughes
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
UFC 52: Couture vs. Liddell 2
Round 1, 4:05
For UFC Welterweight title
-
October 22, 2004
yes2Win
flagicon|Brazil Renato Verissimo
TKO (Strikes)
UFC 50: The War of '04
Round 2, 2:11
-
June 19, 2004
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Dennis Hallman
TKO (Punches)
UFC 48: Payback
Round 1, 4:15
-
November 21, 2003
no2Loss
flagicon|USA Matt Hughes
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
UFC 45: Revolution
Round 1, 3:54
For UFC Welterweight title
-
November 23, 2002
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Dennis Hallman
TKO (Abandonment)
WFA 3: Level 3
Round 1, 4:15
-
July 5, 2002
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Jason Medina
Submission (Elbow Strikes)
WFA 3: Level 2
Round 1, 3:43
-
November 3, 2001
yes2Win
flagicon|USA LaVerne Clark
Submission (Strikes)
World Fighting Alliance 1
Round 3, 2:15
-
December 17, 2000
no2Loss
flagicon|Japan Hayato Sakurai
TKO (Knees)
Shooto R.E.A.D. Final
Round 2, 2:25
-
August 26, 2000
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Ray Cooper
Submission (Forearm Choke)
World Extreme Fighting - New Blood Conflict
Round 2, 3:05
-
November 21, 1999
yes2Win
flagicon|Brazil Fabiano Iha
TKO (Strikes)
PRIDE 8
Round 1, 5:00
-
October 25, 1998
yes2Win
flagicon|Brazil Jean Jaques Machado
TKO (Towel Thrown)
Vale Tudo Japan 1998
Round 3, 0:20
-
May 13, 1998
yes2Win
flagicon|Brazil Marcelo Aguiar
TKO (Punches)
Shooto - Las Grandes Viajes 3
Round 2, 3:08
-
October 18, 1997
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Dan Hilbert
Submission (Forearm Choke)
Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7
Round 1, 2:45
-
October 18, 1997
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Javier Buentello
Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7
Round 1, 2:35
-
October 18, 1997
yes2Win
flagicon|USA Ali Elias
KO (Knee)
Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7
Round 1, 10:36
-
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

ee also

*List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

* [http://franktrigg.com Official site of Frank Trigg]
* [http://www.triggonomics.tv Triggonomics Urban Athletic Wear]
*Sherdog|id=311|name=Frank Trigg
* [http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/265/37/ TNA Profile]
* [http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=324 UFC profile]
* [http://www.myspace.com/triggonomics Official Myspace Page]