Tank Abbott

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David Abbott
Statistics
Nickname Tank
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 280 lb (130 kg/20 st)
Nationality American
Born April 26, 1965 (1965-04-26) (age 43)
Fighting out of Huntington Beach,
California
Town of birth Huntington Beach,
California
Fighting style Pit Fighting
Mixed martial arts record
Wins 9
  By knockout 4
  By submission 4
Losses 14
Draws 0

David Lee "Tank" Abbott (born April 26, 1965 in Huntington Beach, California) is an American mixed martial artist. He has described his fighting style, which he developed fighting in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, as "pit fighting." In addition to being a mixed martial artist, Abbott wrestled professionally between 1999 and 2001 under the ring name Tank Abbott.

Contents

Mixed martial arts career (1995-1998, 2003-2008)

Abbott was a frequent participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 2007 he had a record of 8-10 in that promotion. Abbott made his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 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. Later that night he fought Oleg Taktarov for over 17 minutes before succumbing to a rear naked choke. [1]

Despite never winning a UFC title, Abbott achieved a large amount of popularity due in part to his displays of power and aggression. He also gained a degree of notoriety for his unorthodox look and fighting style, more reminiscent of a street fighter than a martial artist. Abbott is known for having a direct and blunt attitude in and out of the octagon,

Professional wrestling career (1999-2001)

Abbott worked as a professional wrestler with World Championship Wrestling (WCW); initially he was brought in as an opponent for Goldberg, 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 never developed, and Abbott remained mostly a comedic wrestler, frequently being featured in segments with the boy band parody stable, Three Count. The most success he had in his wrestling career was when he teamed with Rick Steiner to feud with Scott Steiner. He also nicknamed the head of WCW security, Doug Dillinger, "Mr. Smiley," and would make quacking noises at him. Many wrestling fans consider his career irreparably damaged[citation needed] after he jobbed to actor (and then WCW Champion) David Arquette, losing by pinfall, as well as jobbing cleanly to Diamond Dallas Page, losing to finisher the Diamond Cutter, as well as submitting to the finishers of Big Poppa Pump's Steiner Recliner and Sid Eudy's Crossface. Recently, he signed on to be with the WWE Classic Superstar Action Figure, which was released in July of 2007.

Finishing and signature moves

Personal life

His bad boy image and tough biker look have led many people to believe that Abbott is nothing more than a common hoodlum with a natural ability to throw punches. In reality, he never practiced any style called "Pit Fighting" and had been boxing for up to 13 years before his UFC debut and had been wrestling since high school and during his years at college. He had been coached in boxing under Jesse Reid and Tyrone Bennett and his wrestling career began at the age of 9 and by the age of 18 he became a Junior college All-American. He is also an educated man, holding a degree in history. [2] Tank Abbott was a corner man for Vanilla Ice during Ice's match on the television show Celebrity Boxing against Todd Bridges.

Acting career

Abbott was the UFC fighter who appeared on the TV show Friends, fighting (and beating) Jon Favreau's character, the billionaire Pete Becker, who was dating Monica at the time. In Pete's own words he suffered "a torn rotator cuff, a hairline fracture in my right forearm, and a severely bruised Adam's Apple." Tank has also appeared on an episode of Kenan and Kel, where he swore to get revenge on Kenan for sending him to prison. His character's name was John "The Jackhammer" Rogan.

Physical capabilities

In 2003, Abbott performed a 600 pound bench press which was recorded on video. It is alleged the press was improperly done because the barbell bounced off Abbott's chest, alleviating part of the force needed to lift the weight up.[citation needed] Abbott responded to this claim during an interview by highlighting what he views as the ridiculousness of someone "bouncing" 600 pounds of weight off their chest without sustaining massive injury.[citation needed] Video of the feat does show the bar making contact with his chest, but given the angle of the shot it is difficult to determine whether this assisted him in making the lift.[3]

MMA record

9 Wins (4 KO's, 4 submissions, 1 decision), 14 Losses (6 KO's, 6 submissions, 2 decisions), 0 Draws
Date Result Opponent Event Method Round, Time Notes
2/16/2008 Loss Kimbo Slice EliteXC: Street Certified KO (Punches)[4] Round 1, 0:43
4/21/2007 Loss Gary Turner Cage Rage 21 TKO (strikes) Round 1, 2:27
10/7/2006 Loss Paul Buentello Strikeforce - Tank vs Buentello KO (punch) Round 1, 0:43
8/28/2005 Loss Hidehiko Yoshida PRIDE Final Conflict 2005 Submission (Choke) Round 1, 7:40
5/7/2005 Win Wesley Correira ROTR 7-Rumble On The Rock 7 KO (Punch) Round 1, 1:23
11/21/2003 Loss Wesley Correira UFC 45-Revolution TKO (Cut) Round 1, 2:14
6/6/2003 Loss Kimo Leopoldo UFC 43: Meltdown Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) Round 1, 1:59
2/28/2003 Loss Frank Mir UFC 41: Onslaught Submission (Toe Hold) Round 1, 0:46
10/16/1998 Loss Pedro Rizzo UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil KO (punch) Round 1, 8:07
5/15/1998 Win Hugo Duarte UFC 17: Redemption TKO (strikes) Round 1, 0:43
12/21/1997 Win Yoji Anjo UFC Japan-Ultimate Japan 1 Decision Round 1, 15:00
10/17/1997 Loss Maurice Smith UFC 15-Collision Course Submission (Strikes) Round 1, 8:08 For UFC Heavyweight title
5/30/1997 Loss Vitor Belfort UFC 13-The Ultimate Force TKO (Strikes) Round 1, 0:52
12/7/1996 Loss Don Frye UU 96-Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 1:22
12/7/1996 Win Steve Nelmark UU 96-Ultimate Ultimate 1996 KO Round 1, 1:03
12/7/1996 Win Cal Worsham UU 96-Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Submission (Strikes) Round 1, 2:51
9/20/1996 Loss Scott Ferrozzo UFC 11-The Proving Ground Decision Round 1, 15:00
9/20/1996 Win Sam Adkins UFC 11-The Proving Ground Submission (Neck Crank) Round 1, 2:06
12/16/1995 Loss Dan Severn UU 95-Ultimate Ultimate 1995 Decision (Unanimous) Round 1, 18:00
12/16/1995 Win Steve Jennum UU 95-Ultimate Ultimate 1995 Submission (Neck Crank) Round 1, 1:14
7/14/1995 Loss Oleg Taktarov UFC 6-Clash of the Titans Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1, 17:47
7/14/1995 Win Paul Varelans UFC 6-Clash of the Titans TKO (Strikes) Round 1, 1:53
7/14/1995 Win John Matua UFC 6-Clash of the Titans KO (punch) Round 1, 0:18

References

External links

Professional wrestling
Portal