Wilmington native Frye set for debut in the UFC
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — The transition into a new sport has served A.J. Frye well as he now prepares for the biggest battle of his career. Literally.
The Hoggard graduate played college basketball, but now has a career in mixed martial arts.
Frye says the transition to the new sport was relatively simple, but he has excelled in it as he will now fight on the sport’s biggest stage.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
Frye will compete in the UFC on December 13 in Las Vegas during “Fight Night,” the result of years of hard work following some humble aspirations at first.
“I was kind of just at home, working, honestly partying a lot just drinking and not really doing anything,” Frye said. “I told one of my friends I wanted to get back in shape and get back into competing in some sort of sport. He recommended MMA. They thought I could be pretty good, I thought I could be pretty good. I tried out a fight and once I did my first fight, I fell in love with it.”
His opponent during the prelims of the event will be Guilherme Pat of Brazil in the heavyweight division. Both fighters enter the match undefeated.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
The 6-0 Frye describes himself as an all-rounder and understands how big a jump to the UFC is. He plans to emphasize his strengths to try and come out on top.
“It’s a really big move,” Frye said. “A lot of fighters have to go through something called the Contender Series or Ultimate Fighter, which are basically tryouts for the UFC. I was able to bypass all of that, so it’s a blessing. I use my cardio to my advantage. I’m in really good shape for a heavyweight. I think that’s a huge advantage of mine. My main discipline is striking. I’m mainly a boxer.”
In his corner is his coach, Derek Brunson, who owns the gym Frye works out at.
Brunson spent 13 years competing in the UFC and Frye is his first client to make it to the organization. He says it is a boost for his business and the community as one of their own is set to step into the octagon for himself.
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
“For Brunson’s MMA, that says a lot,” Brunson said. “You have a guy that started with us from day one. We got him to the highest level of the sport. It’s really good for the business. Anybody else in the area, they know that they can start from scratch and they have the opportunity to make it to the UFC.”
Despite all the nerves, Frye feels ready to represent his hometown with so much on the line.
“I think my mindset is the same every fight,” Frye said. “I’m just going to go in there and have fun. I get to compete in the sport that I love and get paid for it. I have the best support here. My family, my coworkers, just my friends. Everybody shows a ton of support and I can’t wait to show out for them.”
(Photo: Colton Emswiler/WWAY)
