Instantly a fan favorite in the UFC, Frye returned at "UFC 9" in Detroit, Michigan on May 19, 1996 to take on a match with fellow tournament winner Marco Ruas, but his opponent got injured and was replaced by Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist Amaury Bitetti. Frye completely dominated the bout, using his wrestling expertise to stop his opponent's takedowns and land punches, knees and elbows with freedom. He even allowed himself to try a judo ude-garami on the jiu-jitsu champion, something that was unheard at the time. At the end, after an especially hard series of strikes to the spine and head of the Brazilian, the match was stopped and Frye was declared winner.