UFC legend’s iconic trilogy was ended by head kick KO years before his rival helped save his life

On this day in 2003, two legends met for the final time as opponents before becoming close friends.

Trilogies in MMA don’t always live up to the hype but they can still tell some incredible stories that bind two fighters together forever.

The third clash between two competitors gives either of them the opportunity to have what will probably be the last word on their rivalry.

This was the case when BJ Penn stopped Matt Hughes in just 21 seconds to record what would end up being his final UFC win.

A trilogy that culminated in Japan may have ended in devastating fashion but the story didn’t conclude there.

Gary Goodridge finally got revenge over Don Frye at Pride Shockwave 2003

Don Frye may have some regrets regarding his career but the UFC Hall of Famer remains one of the iconic figures from the early days of mixed martial arts.

‘The Predator’ debuted at UFC 8 in 1996, where he won three fights in one night to win that event’s tournament, submitting Gary Goodridge in the finals.

The two pioneers met again later that year in the quarter-finals of the UFC Ultimate Ultimate 1996 tournament, where Frye got his hand raised once again before going on to win the competition.

This tournament would end up being the brawler’s final bout inside the Octagon, having gone on to produce some of his most iconic bouts in Pride.

After suffering back-to-back losses in Japan, he once again came face-to-face with his familiar foe, ‘Big Daddy’ Goodridge.

They met at Pride FC: Shockwave 2003 on New Year’s Eve where Goodridge knocked Frye out with a head kick just 39 seconds into the bout to finally record a victory over his rival.