American mixed martial fighter, color commentator, pro wrestler, MMA referee, and TV broadcaster Dewey Franklin Trigg III was born on May 7, 1972. A veteran of the UFC, Pride Fighting Championships, Rumble on the Rock, Icon Sport (where he held the title of middleweight champion), BAMMA, World Fighting Alliance, and professional wrestling, Trigg also competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Patrick Burris, a Sensei and former Olympian, taught Trigg judo in 1995. Trigg received his first black belt and was introduced to the mixed martial arts community while working out with Burris.
Trigg, a New York native and state high school wrestling champion, began wrestling as a walk-on at Oklahoma State before moving to Phoenix College. When OSU’s bitter rival Oklahoma offered him a scholarship after he placed second in the NJCAA championships, he entered the NCAA again. Trigg remained on as an assistant coach for the Sooners after earning his bachelor’s degree in public affairs and administration from OU in 1997.
Frustrated with his position in the US wrestling hierarchy, he began a professional MMA career, using his purses to pay for flights to international freestyle wrestling tournaments. Trigg defeated Fabiano Iha via TKO due to strikes at Pride 8 in Japan in 1999. Trigg qualified for the Olympic Trials in wrestling less than a year later, in early 2000.
Beating some of the best athletes in the world convinced Trigg that a legitimate professional wrestling and mixed martial arts career was the next logical step. Trigg defended his title against Shooto world champion Hayato Sakurai by the end of 2000. While Trigg appeared to be in control of the fight at first, Sakurai mounted a comeback and brutally knocked Trigg out in the second round due to knees, handing Trigg his first career loss.
Frank Trigg Wife: Who Is Jill Dexter?
Frank Trigg married Jill Dexter. Trigg and his wife have four children: Lavin, Stone, Frankie, and Kiara.
