The Specialists
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO... Former UFC knock out artist Tank Abbott?
Jan 7, 2010 - 8:41:08 PM WHATEVER HAPPENED TO... Former UFC knock out artist Tank Abbott?

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By Bob Teal, MMATorch Specialist

David "Tank" Abbott was born in Huntington Beach, Clif. in 1965. Although he was an accomplished wrestler in high school and in college Tank preferred bare knuckle brawling on the beaches of Southern California. His aggressive "pit fighting" style was much loved by MMA fans the world over. Tank was known to swing for the fences and land brutal knockouts.

Amazingly Abbott has competed inside the Octagon 17 times compiling a 9-8 record during his UFC run. Despite being a wrestler prior to his brawling days Tank was known to gas very quickly in fights. So if he didn't catch you early things would tend to go badly for him. In his eight victories in the UFC, Tank spent about an average one and a half minutes in the cage with one exception being a fifteen minute decision victory over Yoji Anjo. In short (no pun intended), the less time he spent with an opponent in the cage the better.

Tank has fought for several promotions including the UFC, Strikeforce, Pride FC, and Cage Rage to name a few. Abbott has squared off against some of the legends of mixed martial arts including Oleg Taktarov, Steve Jennum, Dan Severn, Don Frye, and Kimo Leopoldo. He has also faced a mixed bag of current competitors including Kimbo Slice, Frank Mir, Paul Buentello and Vitor Belfort.

Tank Spent a couple years in professional wrestling with the WCW. Despite seemingly having the bravado and talent to be a star in the professional wrestling world, this was a venture that would not work out for Tank. He would subsequently return to the world of mixed martial arts in 2003.

Upon his return to Mixed Martial Arts in 2003 until present Tank has fought nine times winning only twice both via knockouts against Cabbage back in 2005 and against Mike Bourke back in February of 2009. Tank held true to the nature of his style knocking both men out in less than one and a half minutes in both bouts!

Since his win in February of 2009, a bout with Ken Shamrock had apparently been in negotiations but has not come to fruition to date. Either way Tank continues to be a controversial and magnetic personality in the world of mixed martial arts to this day. And although his career is winding down I cannot imagine Tank ever being involved in a boring fight.

Bob Teal is a lifelong resident of Cincinnati, Ohio. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring you up to date on fighters you might have forgotten about or perhaps never even knew. Are there any fighters you would like me to write about? Submit your suggestions to me. You can email me at robertjteal@aol.com.

[Tank Abbott photo by Mike Lano (c) MMATorch]