- Tank Abbott
-
David Abbott Born April 26, 1965
Huntington Beach, California, U.S.Other names Tank Nationality American Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight 255 lb (115.7 kg; 18.2 st) Division Super Heavyweight (no limit)
Heavyweight (265 lb)Style Boxing, Wrestling Stance Orthodox Fighting out of Huntington Beach, California[1] Years active 1995 - present Mixed martial arts record Total 25 Wins 11 By knockout 6 By submission 3 By decision 2 Losses 14 By knockout 6 By submission 6 By decision 2 Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog David Lee Abbott (born April 26, 1965) is an American mixed martial arts fighter and former professional wrestler. He has described his fighting style, which he developed brawling in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, as "street fighting". Abbott was the first fighter to regularly wear what would be known as traditional MMA gloves in the UFC.
Contents
Mixed martial arts career (1995–1998)
Abbott was a frequent participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Abbott made his mixed martial arts debut in 1995 at UFC 6 Clash of the Titans in Casper, Wyoming. In his opening fight, he knocked out John Matua, who weighed 400 lb, in 18 seconds.[2] Later that night he fought Oleg Taktarov for over 17 minutes before succumbing to a rear naked choke.[3] [1] Both men collapsed in exhaustion after the fight, and Taktarov had to be carried out of the cage.[3] In his first 4 UFC tournament appearances, Abbott advanced at least 1 round in all of them. Around the same time the UFC began switching away from the tournament format, his fortunes declined, as he won only 2 of 5 bouts in '97-'98 before retiring from MMA. Tank still fights on the B-level circuit, provided there will be beer at the event and that his bar tab is covered by the promoter.
Acting career
In 1997, Abbott appeared as a UFC fighter in the TV show Friends,[4] defeating Jon Favreau's character, the billionaire Pete Becker, who was dating Monica at the time.
Professional wrestling career (1999–2001)
Abbott worked as a professional wrestler with World Championship Wrestling (WCW);[5] initially he was brought in as an opponent for Goldberg,[5] on the understanding he was a "legitimate" fighter—who could render any opponent unconscious with a single punch, which became his wrestling finisher, 'The Phantom Right'—and could boost Goldberg's reputation. This feud, however, never developed.
Mere days prior to the Souled Out pay-per-view in 2000, WCW head writer Vince Russo was given the responsibility of booking a match to crown a new WCW World Heavyweight Champion. This came at the news that both WCW Champion Bret Hart and Jeff Jarrett, two of the company's top performers, were injured and could not participate at the event. To the dismay of company officials, Russo suggested having the mid-card Abbott win the Championship albeit only to hold it briefly. The scenario would not take place, and Russo was consequently released from WCW while other bookers composed the Souled Out card. Abbott instead faced Jerry Flynn, a legitimate black belt in taekwondo and defeated him at the pay-per-view.
He was then featured in segments with the boy band parody stable, 3 Count as their "biggest fan".[6] He began feuding with the stable after they would not let him join the band; the feud ended when Abbott was released from WCW.[6]
Mixed martial arts career (2003 - present)
Abbott waged an unsuccessful UFC comeback in the mid 2000's, losing fights to Frank Mir, Kimo Leopoldo and Wesley "Cabbage" Correira. He later defeated Cabbage by K.O. in a rematch. Abbott would lose several more matches in regional shows.
In February 2008, he had a first round knockout loss to Kimbo Slice at Elite XC's Street Certified event.[1]
His next fight against Mike Bourke on February 13, 2009 at The Selland Arena in Fresno, California—was a part of the Valentine's Eve Massacre Event. Abbott knocked out Bourke in the first round and secured a victory for the first time in nearly four years.
Abbott rematched with Scott Ferrozzo on October 30, 2011 winning by decision after a 15 minute round followed by a 3 minute overtime period.
On November 5th,Tank Abbott had a rematch of sorts with Kimo Leopoldo when they participate in a celebrity boxing match that took place at The Avalon in Hollywood, California. It consisted of three one minute rounds and it is unclear who won at the end of the match and currently unknown what decision the judges scoring the bout came to.
Nickname
Abbott claims his nickname of “Tank” was given to him by UFC officials after the character of “Tank Murdock“ from the 1978 Clint Eastwood movie Every Which Way but Loose.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Amateur wrestling
- NJCAA All American
- California High School State Champion
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown 25 matches 11 wins 14 losses By knockout 6 6 By submission 3 6 By decision 2 2 win {vs Scott Ferrozzo} Portland Oregon King Of Backyard fights decision
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes Win 10–14 
Mike BourkeKO (punch) War Gods/Ken Shamrock: Valentine's Eve Massacre February 13, 2009 1 0:29 Fresno, California, United States Loss 9–14 
Kimbo SliceKO (punches) EliteXC: Street Certified February 16, 2008 1 0:43 Miami, Florida, United States Loss 9–13 
Gary TurnerTKO (punches) Cage Rage 21 April 21, 2007 1 2:27 London, England Loss 9-12 Paul BuentelloKO (punch) Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello October 7, 2006 1 0:43 Fresno, California, United States Loss 9–11 
Hidehiko YoshidaSubmission (gi choke) PRIDE Final Conflict 2005 August 28, 2005 1 7:40 Saitama, Japan Win 9–10 Wesley CorreiraKO (punch) Rumble on the Rock 7 May 5, 2005 1 1:23 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss 8–10 Wesley CorreiraTKO (cut) UFC 45 November 21, 2003 1 2:14 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss 8–9 Kimo LeopoldoSubmission (arm triangle choke) UFC 43 June 6, 2003 1 1:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss 8–8 Frank MirSubmission (toe hold) UFC 41 February 28, 2003 1 0:46 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss 8–7 
Pedro RizzoKO (punch) UFC Brazil October 16, 1998 1 8:07 São Paulo, Brazil Win 8–6 Hugo DuarteTKO (punches) UFC 17 May 15, 1998 1 0:43 Mobile, Alabama, United States Win 7–6 Yoji AnjoDecision UFC Japan December 21, 1997 1 15:00 Yokohama, Japan Loss 6–6 Maurice SmithSubmission (punches) UFC 15 October 17, 1997 1 8:08 Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, United States For UFC Heavyweight Championship. Loss 6–5 Vitor BelfortKO (punches) UFC 13 May 30, 1997 1 0:52 Augusta, Georgia, United States Loss 6–4 Don FryeSubmission (rear naked choke) UU 96 December 12, 1996 1 1:22 Birmingham, Alabama, United States Win 6–3 Steve NelmarkKO UU 96 December 12, 1996 1 1:03 Birmingham, Alabama, United States Win 5–3 Cal WorshamSubmission (punches) UU 96 December 12, 1996 1 2:51 Birmingham, Alabama, United States Loss 4–3 Scott FerrozzoDecision (unanimous) UFC 11 September 20, 1996 1 15:00 Augusta, Georgia, United States Win 4–2 Sam AdkinsSubmission (forearm choke) UFC 11 September 20, 1996 1 2:06 Augusta, Georgia, United States Loss 3–2 Dan SevernDecision (unanimous) UU 95 December 16, 1995 1 18:00 Denver, Colorado, United States Win 3–1 Steve JennumSubmission (neck crank) UU 95 December 16, 1995 1 1:14 Denver, Colorado, United States Loss 2–1 
Oleg TaktarovSubmission (rear naked choke) UFC 6 July 14, 1995 1 17:47 Casper, Wyoming, United States Win 2–0 Paul VarelansTKO (punches) UFC 6 July 14, 1995 1 1:53 Casper, Wyoming, United States Win 1–0 John MatuaKO (punches) UFC 6 July 14, 1995 1 0:18 Casper, Wyoming, United States References
- ^ a b Woods, Michael (February 19, 2008). "Abbott not ready to call it quits just yet". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3251964. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
- ^ Tank Abbott's Terrifying Debut Featured in 'Ultimate Ultimate Knockouts'
- ^ a b http://www.411mania.com/MMA/video_reviews/54573/History-of-the-UFC:-UFC-VI---Clash-of-the-Titans.htm
- ^ Friend's episode "The One with the Ultimate Fighting Champion" at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ a b Tank Abbott Speaks On His WCW Career, UFC Return, & More
- ^ a b "The Hurricane". SLAM! Wrestling. June 13, 2005. http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/hurricane.html. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
- ^ http://www.fighttimes.com/magazine/magazine.asp?article=856
Further reading
- Boone, Matt (February 13, 2003). "Tank Abbott Speaks On His WCW Career, UFC Return, & More". WrestleZone Radio. http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2003/articles/1045115235.php.
External links
Categories:- 1965 births
- American mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Super heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists from California
- American professional wrestlers
- Living people
- People from Huntington Beach, California
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