MMA pioneer Gary Goodridge opens up about avenging losses to Don Frye: "Such a weight lifted on me"

Gary Goodridge recently opened up about his bouts against Don Frye and how he reacted after avenging his losses in their trilogy bout. The MMA pioneer exacted revenge in spectacular fashion as he dropped the former UFC tournament winner with a head-kick to earn a first-round knockout at Pride Shockwave 2003.

'Big Daddy' and 'The Predator' had competed twice before in the UFC, with both taking place in the opening round of tournaments in 1996. Frye got the better of the Canadian in both bouts, and so the Barrie, Ontario native was motivated in what would certainly be his final opportunity to get a win back.

In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the MMA pioneer described the significance of his win over 'The Predator'. Goodridge mentioned that the win proved that he was capable of defeating top fighters from his era and that he belonged to the upper echelon of the sport at the time. He said:

"There's no words to tell how I felt...There was such a weight lifted on me because there was so many years that I had to deal with that he beat me twice in one year...It was so good to finally reach a level that you never reached and so decisively. There was no questions...nothing about it, I knocked you out." [3:22 - 4:07]

Check out Gary Goodridge's comments below:

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Gary Goodridge opens up about friendship with Don Frye and Mark Coleman

Gary Goodridge recently opened up about his friendship with Don Frye and noted that although they competed on three occasions during their MMA careers, he considers 'The Predator' a close friend.

During the aforementioned video, 'Big Daddy' mentioned that Frye and Mark Coleman are the only fighters he has remained close with over the years and regularly keeps in contact with them. He said:

"I could call them right now on the phone and we can talk forever like nothing ever happened. I talk to Don Frye and Mark Coleman all the time...We're still friends today, very good friends. I watched them change their life and be the gentlemen that they are." [5:33 - 6:36]

Check out Gary Goodridge's win over Don Frye in Pride below: