Don Frye returning to Pride

By Sam Caplan

I don't want this to get lost in the shuffle of today's events because I think it's very notable. During the press conference for the Japanese media earlier this morning, two new bouts for Pride 34 were announced. One was the first-ever "UFC vs. Pride" match between Jeff Monson and Kazuyuki Fujita. Billing it was a "UFC vs. Pride" match is a bit of a stretch, as the match had already been rumored to have been signed before the announcement that Pride had been acquired.

When Monson signed the match he wasn't contracted to the UFC. But the timing worked out so it makes perfect sense to advertise the match in the way they are in order to bring more attention to a Pride 34 card that desperately needs it.

It was also announced that Don Frye will be taking on Ikuhisa Minowa during the card. Frye is a legend in the sport. He's a coach in the IFL (you have to go to IFL.TV and check out his advice column... the IFL should also make his advice a weekly TV segment) and had been contracted as a fighter to K-1, but the deal has expired.

(Source)