"Where’s my belt?": MMA legends Don Frye and Gary Goodridge recall memories from epic UFC 8 clash

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Mar 4, 2025, 15:45 IST

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Don Frye and Gary Goodridge, former UFC fighters, recently reunited, recalling their memorable rivalry from almost 30 years ago. They shared laughs and recreated iconic moments from their fights. Their nostalgic reunion brings back memories of the raw early days of MMA for fans. Time moves fast and we all grow older alongside these warriors.

"Where’s my belt?": MMA legends Don Frye and Gary Goodridge recall memories from epic UFC 8 clash

Don Frye and Gary Goodridge recreate the iconic photo post the UFC 8 clash. Image via: Gary Goodridge/YouTube (screengrab)

Almost nearing 60 years, former UFC fighters Don Frye and Gary Goodridgedecided to send down a wave of nostalgia for the fans of the sport. The once arch rivals within the octagon are now seen sharing a moment of humor and nostalgia while going through some hardware secured almost 3 decades ago. The rivalry between the two fighters spanned over a total of 3 fights: the UFC 8 (February 1996), the UFC 11.5 (December 1996) and the PRIDE Shockwave 2003. Out of the three matches, Frye won two, while Goodridge managed to secure a single win at the PRIDE Shockwave face-off

Don Frye and Goodridge share laughs and memories after 30 years of their epic face-off

The rivalry is long gone and both have considerably moved on with their respective lives. It is only recently that Goodridge posted a video of him and Frye going down memory lane and sharing light moments of humor. They even went on to recreate the iconic photo clicked after the gruesome UFC 8 fight.

30 Years Later: UFC 8 Legends Don Frye & Gary Goodridge Reunite!

“Where’s my belt?” Goodridge asked upon opening Frye’s belt case. “You’ve been keeping it warm for me?”

To this Frye wittily replies, “It’s shiny and pretty—and says Don Frye on it,”
Their nostalgic video is a reminder for the fans of the raw and unpredictable days of early MMA. Fighters clashed multiple times in one night, often without weight classes or specialized training camps. The UFC 8 saw an action-packed Frye who secured wins over big names like Thomas Ramirez, Sam Adkins, and finally Goodridge. Goodridge had earned his spot in the final after a devastating knockout win over late Paul Herrera—one of the most brutal finishes in UFC history—and an unanimous decision victory over Jerry Bohlander.
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Seeing them together again is both heartwarming and bittersweet. MMA for long has been perceived as a relatively younger sport, unlike others like football or baseball, with a history attached to it. However, with the fighters from the 90’s getting older, nostalgia is beginning to take root amongst the fans and the fighter community. For fans who grew up watching these warriors, it’s a stark reminder that time moves fast—and we’re all growing older alongside them.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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