UFC Signs Frank Trigg - Hughes/Trigg 3 Coming?
by MMAEruption on May 27, 2009 6:02 PM EDT
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Veteran fighter Frank Trigg (19-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC) is returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship after signing a four-fight deal with the organization.
Trigg, who's a daily host for MMAjunkie.com Radio, today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) about the signing, which took nearly nine months to complete.
Trigg, who recently turned 37, went 2-3 in his first UFC stint from 2003-2005, but he's perhaps best remembered for two unsuccessful attempts at Matt Hughes' UFC welterweight title.
The Xtreme Couture fighter is expected to fight in late fall or early winter, though no specific date or opponent has yet been determined for his UFC return. Although he's competed as a middleweight in some recent fights, he'll remain at welterweight in the UFC.
As far as this "no specific date or opponent has yet been determined for his UFC return" business goes, there is a good chance that the UFC is planning Matt Hughes/Trigg 3..
There was serious bad blood between the two during Trigg's first tenure with the UFC, and their second match produced one of the most exciting moments in UFC history when Hughes slammed Trigg to the canvas after recovering from a groin shot.
Given the outcome of their past two matches, both of which Hughes won, giving them a third go at it could allow Hughes to exit the UFC on a high note.
The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.
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Ho-ly shit
The Zuffa juggernaut rolls on. I guess Hughes got himself a couple more chances to work his way into the title picture by beating Serra (though the judging for that fight puzzled me a little bit).
It’s a signing that makes for a ready made co-main event fight. Nothing wrong with that.
by Derek Suboticki on May 27, 2009 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
Meh * 2
Since when have people been happy about Frank Trigg fighting?
Win Danny Babcock Decision (Unanimous)
Win Falaniko Vitale Decision (Unanimous)
Win Makoto Takimoto Decision (Unanimous)
Win Edwin Dewees Submission (Kimura)
Loss Robbie Lawler KO (Punches)
I count seven blows to the head, with the first being a glancing blow. The last three shots were totally unnecessary. Trigg’s legs buckled after the fourth shot, he took two on the way down, and one more after Lawler pauses, considers his place in the universe, takes a deep breath, and smokes Trigg one last time. Wow.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
by AJB on May 27, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don’t think you know the story huh?
Lawler and Trigg had some major beef and Lawlor did that on purpose.
Ruthless knew that he was out already.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I knew the story. The ref is to blame there. Especially given that HE should have known of the bad blood too.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Oh
Hahaha…yeah. ICON PRIDE RULES FTW!
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Whatever, man
If it was Trigg/Diaz in Strikeforce you’d be selling it like the second coming of Christ.
by Derek Suboticki on May 27, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
We both know it’s true – it would be accompanied by a list of SF’s MW division (including every fighter in DREAM and about five ‘possibilities’) and a nice pretty layout of a card that can’t sneeze at UFC 99 or 100.
You know I’m right. This is a solid signing by Zuffa.
by Derek Suboticki on May 27, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hahaha…Trigg is just not very exciting, no matter where he fights.
His last exciting fight was him getting destryoyed by Lawler.
He is also 37 years old and is his last shot at MMA before he retires.
One interesting note is that he signed a 3 fight deal with Sengoku and Strikeforce, and has only fought once for each promotion. I wondered what happened there.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m guessing he got cut, but that’s a good question
by Derek Suboticki on May 27, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I seem to remember his Sengoku contract going to pieces after a bunch of he-said-she-said scheduling BS. But I could be remembering incorrectly. Strikeforce, meh, I’ll get on the “they probably cut him” train.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Yeah, it could have been a 1 fight deal with Strikeforce.
Look at the mans schedule. He has been signing 3 or 4 fight deals with 3 different promotions and has only fought a max of 1 time with them.
HDNet Fights (1)
DREAM (0)
WVR (1)
Strikeforce (1)
XCF (1)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
He Lost To Condit Already...
So, not sure about that one.
Not too excited about fighting Kos, either.
Larson and Kampmann MAY be okay fights.
The only way to have an exciting Trigg fight is for him to fight someone that pushes the action and wont get dry humped to death.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
To be honest, someone had to do it. A Trigg signing is… anachronistic?
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Just read what you said below
And what I wrote is in line with it. But this kid shits a park bench when Strikeforce signs Cory Devela and Frank Trigg is a nobody.
I poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on May 27, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Cory Devela has been fighting for Strikeforce since 2008, so thats hardly breaking news. Hes an okay PROSPECT who crushed Joe Riggs back with his nice judo throw.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
The example wasn’t literal. You gush over nobodies and blow a raspberry over Frank Trigg. It’s deliberate.
I poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on May 27, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Haha...
I just thought it was funny.
As much as I love to hear your conspiracy theories about me, I along with others do not enjoy watching Trigg fight, and many others don’t like him as a person.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Conspiracy theories?
You’re quite obvious, I don’t have to theorize you. I don’t like Matt Hughes as a person, either, but I love to watch him fight. Maybe we’ll never be friends. He should get cut, huh?
I poop rainbows.
LOL!
I don’t like Matt Hughes either.
Maybe WE can be friends.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, because Matt Hughes is a very likable guy…hahaha…
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Nothing to do with the signing, everything to do with the person they are signing.
Plus, Subo’s joy was all worth it. =)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I really don't believe that for a second
If you’d suggested that he isn’t a contender, fair enough. But your laughing it off and that’s totally reaching. There are fights for him in the UFC and it’s a solid signing.
I poop rainbows.
Kampmann and Condit by murder. The other two would be fun.
by Derek Suboticki on May 27, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt the Trigg-Hughes thing unless Trigg’s memory has evaporated over the years. After the second loss and a couple of times since then Trigg has admitted that Hughes is just a terrible matchup for him and that he can’t beat Hughes.
I think they’ll be more likely to give a “name” (somewhat) older fighter to a bunch of the young guys like McLovin to help build up the division behind the current crop of contenders. It’s pretty clear that Alves has the best shot of anyone in the WW division at GSP’s title, and if Alves loses, there’s not many people who have more than a remote punchers chance. I’m sure the UFC sees this (considering the problems that a parallel situation at MW have created) and is thinking a bit longer term for some of the younger up and comers. The Condit-Kampmann suggestions above could hold water. I also think guys like Dan Hardy would stand to gain a lot from a Trigg matchup.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
I think this is a great signing. The UFC doesn’t have to only be comprised of homegrown products; grizzled vets to give those types a run are very welcome additions. Trigg beating a guy like Larson gives him a major boost and, vice versa, a win for someone like Larson over Trigg is still a name-victory and bolsters his credibility. The detractors either hate Zuffa or are looking at this as give me contenders or give me nothing.
I poop rainbows.
The counter point that I would make is that we all know at this point in time what Trigg is capable of and it’s not like he’s going to suddenly whip a bunch of new tricks out of his bag. At a time when the UFC is cutting its rosters, if given a choice between a guy like Trigg staying around or a younger fighter whose potential is still unknown, I’d take the guy who hasn’t reached his ceiling yet. That’s not saying that the UFC CAN’T sign guys like Trigg, but their recent trends haven’t shown that they are willing to add guys like Trigg without creating space first. Give that, if you’re looking at guys who aren’t expected to challenge for the belt (or at least not in the near future), why not go with someone who can benefit from the experience and maybe pay off big as the next star?
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
I don't get that
Who would you have stay in his place? He brings name value, a great career record and was 2-1 against guys not named Matt Hughes in his first stay. You don’t even know what he’s being paid to say that someone who’s been cut should be here in his steed.
I poop rainbows.
Just based on career potential; Trigg’s career is tailing off and I just would prefer to see someone who could potentially exceed him in his place. I’m not saying someone specific who has been cut; I’m saying that he’s taking a roster spot that could potentially go to someone else. It’s pretty simple, but just an opinion. Honestly, who knows? Maybe he doesn’t stick around so the point is moot. Whatever. I just think it’s harder to defend the signing based on the fact that the roster has been contracting in size for months.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Hold on...
The argument fundamentally makes no sense. This isn’t an NFL team where only 53 athletes can make the squad. There is no defined amount of roster spaces.
I poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on May 27, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I know; BUT the UFC is cutting fighters lately, some of whom I think are more deserving to stick around, and there’s got to be other fighters waiting in line to get in who might also be more deserving. And I just don’t think Trigg has so much to offer at this point to justify his being signed when other fighters with more skill and/or potential are, in fact, on the outside looking in regardless of whether or not the UFC could hypothetically sign them.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
Nah...
Sorry, I just don’t believe those are the mechanics of the UFC. Guys get cut when they lose and are unmarketable. There’s no finite number of roster spots and everyone that should be in the ranks is and will be.
I poop rainbows.
Actually...
The UFC’s roster is finite and they cut people to try and meet that quota as much as they can. Meltzer had a report about that a while ago.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 28, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Bullshit
They’ve made cuts to meet a bar they set numerically at different points in their development. It’s been ages since that was done and it clearly isn’t finite, because the number is organic.
I poop rainbows.
I seem to have the same problem
I poop rainbows.
by Blackout612 on May 28, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Meltzer:
But it’s also the beginning of what are expected to be massive cuts. The company has approximately 200 fighters on the roster, but doesn’t run enough events to keep that many fighters working three fights per year.
The decision has apparently been made not to stockpile fighters on contract to keep groups attempting to be competition from signing them.
There is no set number of how many cuts are forthcoming, but the total easily could top 50.
They said the UFC is around 200 and wanted to cut or keep its roster between 150 and 200 fighters, heading towards the 150 number.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 28, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Shrug
Way not to link that old ass article. That doesn’t prove wrong any point I made.
I poop rainbows.
Old article was about a year ago… April of 2008 I believe.
Whatever you say.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 29, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Blackout's right...
wants to keep its roster between 150 and 200 fighters is not a finite number. The UFC will use Trigg to build contenders from within the division, I can’t stand Trigg but it is in fact a good signing.
Never said he was wrong, but many reported that they wanted to keep their roster at around 150, and definitely below 200. So that is their range of preference.
Didn’t mean finite number, but range of preference. If it was organic, then they wouldn’t be cutting people like crazy after they lose a few fights.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 29, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
they would...
and do, when it’s somebody who’s not ready for the big show. It happens in all major sports, a prospect gets called up and given a chance and if they can’t perform they’re sent back to the minors to clean things up.
Trigg is a name who can build somebody who otherwise might be cut, or who needs that extra bump into stardom. Besides the Trigg signing adds 0.057% to the total roster number. Going from 250+ down to 150-175 and back up to 176 does not take nearly the toll on new signings that you’re implying.
If Trigg drops two in a row he will be gone again just like anyone else that gets cut. He isn’t taking any food out of anyone elses mouth here, guys get cut for losing fights not because the UFC wants to sign someone else into limited contract slots. Guys come and go from the UFC all the time and they the number of guys signed on the roster is pretty fluid.
I’m obviously not arguing a strong position here, so I’ll drop it; I guess it’s more based on a feeling than anything else. I just don’t see what Trigg has done to deserve a contract lately when other fighters have to be wondering what they have to do to break into the big time. Just strikes me as unfair.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
I get what you are saying, Trigg brings nothing new or exciting, just a possibility for a up and comer to beat him and make a name out of defeating him, but Trigg has the uncanny ability to make most fights boring. =)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 28, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
We really need to see Trigg in the Octagon again?
Have to admit, did not see this one coming.
Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion
by The Kittitas Kid on May 27, 2009 7:32 PM EDT reply actions
Hey man, if I was going to do a satire post, it would read something like this:
UFC Signs Frank Trigg at Matt Hughes’ Request
According to a blog post on Matt-Hughes.com, the UFC has signed Frank Trigg at the request of the former welterweight champion.
“My wife said she wanted blood out of Matt Serra, and I wasn’t quite able to deliver. A Christian doesn’t just break promises, so I’m going to do the next best thing: take Frank Trigg down and elbow him until his blood squirts right through the cage and into her face.”
by MMAEruption on May 27, 2009 7:51 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
You get a green.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 27, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not a big fan of Trigg, but it’s a decent signing. Fight Matrix Points has him at #7 in the welterweight division.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
# 7 @ WW
How is that possible when he has only been fighting at MW?
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Their points are not division specific and they’re ranked at whatever class they’ve most recently fought at.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on May 27, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
His Last Fight Against Babcock Was At MW (185)
“That was probably my last fight at 185 pounds,” Trigg said. “The size of the guys that are coming into the sport now, along with the skills they are picking up so quickly, is making it so that I need to drop back down to the proper weight for a guy my size, and that’s 170 pounds.”
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I know. They have him ranked at MW. What I was saying is that were he ranked at WW, he’d be 7th by their system. Sorry for be unclear.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on May 27, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh and score, I just noticed my last name is part of my user name again.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on May 27, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
But he aint #7 at MW either…LOL.
Yeah, I saw your last name, it was a bit odd.
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 27, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s #11 at MW. His score would put him at #7 if he were ranked at WW.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on May 28, 2009 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Hughes and Trigg should coach the next TUF
I’d rather not have the LHW title on hold.
Food goes in here
Weird. I certainly didn’t expect this signing. Perhaps in addition to Matt Hughes, he could fight Matt Serra? That could be fun.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
Hey, maybe this is the MW signing Dana was talking about that would "Blow our minds"
Perhaps Trigg was just saying that he was gonna drop to WW so that this could be more of a mind blowing surprise
Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.
'09 is the year of the FW's.
by ElliotMatheny on May 28, 2009 2:36 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
That person is Frank Trigg.
"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR
by Rundownloser on May 28, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
id rather see trigg with a contract and on a tv undercard than some crappy tuf reject with no shot of ever making it. swick/trigg would be a lot better than swick/saunders.
Dude, Saunders is undefeated. Do you do even the most precursory research before bashing a fighter?
by Derek Suboticki on May 28, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
lots of guys are undefeated. big whoop. when saunders gets to beating anyone who can win a fight or even see the third round in the ufc, i might be impressed. right now hes gonna get taken to school by swick. trigg would do the same.
I’m regularly astonished at the lengths to which many individuals will go to discredit professional fighters and their credentials. The guy has a stoppage in six of his seven victories as a pro, has a fucking ruthless clinch and has applied JKD techniques in MMA. If you think Swick is just going to swim past him (ahem), you might be surprised/devastated by Saunders.
I poop rainbows.
This we agree on: Saunders has the potential to be a beast. He’s very big for 170, and is just relentless when he gets a comfortable range.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
No doubt
And somehow the guy down yonder is comparing him to the likes of Dan Cramer.
I poop rainbows.
so, which guy did saunders beat thats ever won a fight in the ufc? or gone 15 minutes there?
i dont care if he was poplocking in center ring. swick has beaten better guys. but i cant hate this thought process about saunders. it means that the line is way out of whack and i get to cash in with more than ecred.
Calling the guy a ‘crappy TUF reject with no shot of ever making it’ says a lot more about your MMA knowledge than it does about Saunder’s potential.
by Derek Suboticki on May 28, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
The UFC is where Trigg belongs
He is not be a contender to GSP’s crown. He still can’t beat Hughes. But who cares? He still matches up well against most of the other fighters at WW.
You mean will dry hump them very well?
=)
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 28, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
There was a lot of talk with Matt Hughes @ the 98 press conferences about his Bad Blood with Trigg and how that compared to that with Serra. I’m not surprised at all by this signing and believe there will definitely be a Hughes/Trigg 3.
They can dry hump each other until someone runs out of dry humping stamina.
by MMASuPreMaCy on May 28, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Trigg has benefits
He will be a good gatekeeper for young up and comers.
He has a lot of recognition thanks to his fights for so many different orgs as well as his Inside MMA show and Pride announcing gigs.
He knows how to work a fight and stir up heat.
But yeah, the dry humping thing worries me a bit.
A wise man told me don't argue with fools
Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who
God, that’s disturbing. Worse than Hughes holding the white power shirt.
"I'm AJB and I endorse this nut-puncher."
So, so much better. Looks like that gay prostitute the Bush Administration planted in the White House Press Corps.
by Derek Suboticki on May 29, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
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