UFC Legend Don Frye Hospitalized With Heart Complications

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 12:53 AM ET

UFC Hall of Famer Don Frye was hospitalized due to serious cardiovascular complications, specifically a recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).

The 60-year-old had been struggling to breathe for approximately three weeks and found himself barely able to perform basic tasks on his farm, yet his mentality initially prevented him from seeking medical help. The situation took a turn when his longtime rival and friend, Gary Goodridge, intervened.

Goodridge pushed him to go to the hospital, but Frye demurred for several weeks. Eventually, Goodridge contacted Frye’s daughter to alert her to the severity of the situation. She promptly took charge, transporting her father to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Filming a video from his hospital bed on December 24, Frye jokingly claiming that Goodridge “betrayed” and “turned on” him by calling “the boss” (his daughter). Frye then revealed that his health had been declining rapidly over the previous few months. Doctors were able to stabilize his heart rhythm and improve his oxygen intake from 96% back to a healthy 100% using new medications.

This health scare is the latest in a long history. Frye previously underwent extensive spinal surgeries and was placed in a medically induced coma in 2016. While Frye remains under observation so doctors can fine-tune his medication dosages, he is expected to make a full recovery.

YouTube: Don Frye and True Authentics

“What brought me in here is my daughter. Gary Goodridge turned on me, betrayed me, went behind my back and called the boss [LAUGHS]. The boss came over and threw me in the truck, and we got stuck here in the hospital for a few days. And I had [Atrial Fibrillation] again. They shot me up back in 2016, and it lasted almost a decade. I’ve been feeling like s–t the last couple years, but in the last three or four months I’ve really gone downhill.

“Really steady, really fast. You can tell, when [Gary] came over, I couldn’t even go out and feed the horses, [he] knew something was wrong. I’m feeling better. I breathe, I wasn’t getting any air in. I had 96% oxygen intake, circulation, but it just didn’t feel like it. But I’m back up to 99 or 100%. I can feel it now, I think the new medicine has kicked in. They just have to adjust it to how much I need,” Frye said

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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