Sherdog Prospect Watch: Carson Frei

Carson Frei will put his grappling skills to the test in the PFL Challenger Series ✍

Fierce Fighting Championships pic.twitter.com/QEMNrZfBfO

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 9, 2022

Carson Frei will face the most significant challenge of his career when he pursues a spot on the Professional Fighters League roster and takes on Bruno Miranda in the PFL Challenger Series 5 featured attraction on Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The 28-year-old carries a 9-4 record, while his opponents have combined to go 95-53 (.642). Frei is a modern mixed martial artist who showcases efficient striking and grappling games. Most of his victories have come by decision, though he has scored two knockouts and executed one submission.

Frei started his formal MMA training as a 13-year-old in Lewiston, Idaho, and took his first amateur bout on an Indian reservation some three years later. He delivered a knockout in that appearance—a fact that earned him some deference at school. Frei understood that MMA was his path in life and kept on training. Over the years, he had the chance to train alongside some of the most prominent fighters in the business, including former Bellator MMA lightweight champion Brent Primus, Ricky Simon, Austin Vanderford and others. After acquiring much knowledge from his original team, Frei recently opened his own gym: Gritt MMA.

After suffering a first-round technical knockout loss to Joe Hamilton in his Feb. 20, 2015 professional debut at Front Street Fights 4, Frei put together a six-fight winning streak. His list of victims included some eye-catching notables, like Dana White’s Contender Series alum Zach Zane and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Brandon Jenkins. However, Frei’s momentum stalled against Nathan Stolen, who submitted him with a third-round kimura at Rumble on the Ridge 37 in March 2017. The disappointment only grew from there. Frei suffered his most bitter defeat at Front Street Fights 12 roughly two months later. He controlled Matt Jones for much of their encounter, only to be met with a perfectly timed spinning back elbow in the third round. The blow brought their battle to a sudden conclusion 1:46 into Round 3.


Frei rebounded from those back-to-back losses with two straight unanimous decisions over Bobby McIntyre and Bryan Nuro. Nevertheless, he wound up on the wrong side of the scorecards in a lightweight title bout opposite Achilles Estremadura at Battlefield Fight League 63 on Sept. 21, 2019. Frei once again showed his resilience in his next appearance, as he forced Westin Wilson to surrender to a rear-naked choke in the Fierce Fighting Championship 15 co-main event on May 14. He captured Wilson’s back and used some damaging punches to work his way into position for the submission. Once Frei locked in the choke, it was just a matter of time before the job was done. Wilson tapped 4:41 into Round 1.