UFC icon Don Frye required urgent hospitalization following encouragement from an old adversary from his fighting days.
Don Frye, enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, joins a growing list of combat sports greats who have grappled with medical complications post-retirement. Back in 2017, Frye disclosed his struggles with several suicide attempts and agonizing physical discomfort, detailing a life he characterized as ‘wretched’.
Fortunately, Frye made a significant turnaround, subsequently making appearances at various prominent UFC pay-per-view spectacles, such as UFC 300 and UFC 317 the previous summer. Nevertheless, Frye’s health challenges persist outside the fighting arena, as he recently acknowledged receiving care for serious heart-related problems.
Frye remained hesitant about pursuing medical intervention for his condition until a visit to his residence by his former UFC opponent, Gary Goodridge, persuaded him to seek assistance.
Don Frye attributes his hospitalization to his former UFC adversary
From his hospital bed, Frye shared an update on his well-being in a recent YouTube video, acknowledging an old UFC opponent for identifying his health concerns.
“My daughter is the reason I ended up here,” Frye stated.
“Gary Goodridge double-crossed me, went behind my back, and contacted the authority figure [LAUGHS]. The authority figure then arrived, put me in the vehicle, and we’ve been confined to the hospital for a few days. My Atrial Fibrillation had returned. They administered treatment in 2016, which held for nearly ten years.
“My health has been deteriorating for the past two years, but over the recent three or four months, I’ve truly declined significantly. The deterioration has been constant and rapid. It was evident; when Gary visited, I couldn’t even manage to feed the horses, and he realized there was an issue.
“My condition is improving,” Frye added. “I can breathe; I wasn’t getting enough oxygen. My oxygen intake and circulation registered 96%, though it didn’t feel that way. Now I’m back to 99 or 100%. I can sense the difference; I believe the new medication has taken effect. They just need to fine-tune the dosage.” (h/t MMA Mania)
Frye, who is 60 years old, is anticipated to recover completely.
