You can’t have heroes without villains. This is especially true in American sports. From John McEnroe, to Mike Tyson, to the New York Yankees, Americans love to hate their villains. It’s part of being a sports fan. So why should the world of MMA be any different?

Take a look at Frank Trigg. Nobody in MMA plays the heel as well as he does. You want trash talking? Try this doozy from Frank… “I had an off-day"

When asked to comment on his previous match against Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes, Trigg - ever the villain - had this to say, "I gave him my back three times. It took him to the third times to finally take it.”

Trigg (right) - a natural-born heel - creates a kind of aura around him wherever he goes. Here he casts a shadow on the eyes of UFC President Dana White, reminiscent of The Godfather, perhaps?

If they gave awards for Bigmouths, Frank Trigg would easily be the undisputed champion of the world. So when he squared off against Matt Hughes in a rematch of their previous bout, all experts were watching, waiting to see what would happen. Would the brash, trash-talking Trigg be able to defeat the mild-mannered, gentlemanly Hughes? All eyes were on the Octagon to find out.

Even before the fight started, Trigg was up to his old tricks. At the referee check, he moved up to Hughes and planted a kiss right on his forehead. An angry Hughes shoved him backwards, to the roar of the crowd. As Hughes made his way to his corner to start the fight, Trigg waved yet another kiss.

You have to hand it to Trigg; he knows exactly how to play the part of the Bad Boy.

He punched the shit out Renato Verrisimo, who gave Hughes a run for his money. And after he beat Verrisimo, he boasted to anyone who was listening that Hughes was afraid to meet him in a rematch. Villain or master showman - either way, Trigg’s comments got the fans going - so much so that there were doubtless thousands up on thousands of fans glued to their TV sets, hoping that Hughes would put the cocky, arrogant Trigg in his place - on the ground.

When finally the two met, the stage was set for a brutal, no-holds-barred brawl. The fans got that, and more.

Only fifty seconds after the opening bell, Trigg added another chapter to his legacy as a villain when he struck Hughes in the groin twice with punishing knee-lifts. Hughes tried his best to break away, signaling to referee Mario Yamasaki that he was hurt. But the ref was out of position, and chose to let the fight continue - missing an undoubtedly an illegal move. With nobody there to come to his defense, an obviously-in-pain Hughes staggered away, with Trigg in hot pursuit. Trigg sent Hughes to the canvas with a hard straight left, then jumped on top of his fallen opponent and began a furious barrage of punches and elbows.

Hughes seemed invincible once he took the top position. Nobody uses knees, fists, weight, positioning and leverage to finish an opponent better than him. He’s the class of The Octagaon.

A flurry of punches after a low blow. Of course the groin shot wasn't intentional, and every fighte knows that if the referee doesn’t stop you, keep on fighting. So we can’t fault Trigg for dodging a bullet and trying to capitalize on the referee’s error. But - and let me apologize in advance to those who prefer the more gentlemanly aspects of MMA - I have to admit there couldn’t have been a better, more dramatic move for Trigg, the Bad Boy of the MMA, to do.

With Hughes down, Trigg attempted a rear naked choke, something he’s never been able to do in any of his 14 previous fights. To turn the tables on Hughes, beating the man with the same technique he lost with in their first fight, would just be incredible. A win they’d be talking about for years.

For Trigg fans, it couldn’t have been a more exciting opening to the fight.

But those looking for evil to triumph over good were not going to like what happened next.

Hughes somehow was able to defend against Trigg’s choke, and countered by freeing himself from Trigg’s right leg control and spinning out of the position. With both men back on their feet, Hughes was able - in one swift, brilliant move - to pick Trigg up and carry him from one side of the Octagon all the way to the other, finishing the move with a brutal slam down on the canvas.

Maybe Trigg is weak when he’s on bottom. Or maybe it’s just that Hughes is overpoweringly strong when he’s on top. Either way, Hughes immediately took the mount position and began unleashing a furious storm of punches. Trigg turned, giving up his back. Bad idea. That’s because Hughes was able to cinch on a powerful rear naked choke hold, clinching another victory. Just like that, it was over.

We all love good sportsmanship, but sometimes it’s great to see pure entertainment, too. That’s what Trigg gives us - it’s what makes him the best villain in the sport.

Once Trigg was forced into the weaker position, he was quickly dominated. But like Neil Young once said, “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” In my view, it’s better to lose in a dynamic, exciting way, than in a long, drawn-out snoozer of a fight. To me, it’s more American to lose while swinging for the fences, not playing it safe. And so I say to Trigg, you’re the best Bad Boy there is. Don’t ever change.

But after the fight, it seemed like suddenly everything did, in fact, change. Trigg said in his post-fight interview, "I gotta go back to drawing board again. Last time I lost to Matt, I had a complete life change........ I had to sit down with my kids...."

Hey Trigg, guess what… you’re supposed to be a Bad Boy. Not the Family Guy. What gives?

What happened, Trigg? You're supposed to strut in the Octagon and fight you're heart out. You’re supposed to talk trash, not offer up your kids' opinion. I want to hear you blame the ref, not get all philosophical on us.

Trigg, take it from me…coming off like a sensitive family man doesn’t suit you. I don’t want to barbeque with you. I want trash talking. I want ref blaming. I want kiss blowing. I want knees to the groin, furious punches, kicks, and brawls. That tough mentality will be your source of power in the ring.

One more thing, Trigg. You seem to have lost something when you began wrestling with Hughes. Work on your striking so that next time you can punch, kick and pound your opponents - then you can grab another title shot. And of course, when that time comes, don't forget to give us some of that unique brand of trash-talking that only you can give!

After all, that’s what Bad Boys do.

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