David Abbott
 |
Name | David Abbott |
| Nickname | Tank | |
| Association | N/A | |
| Weight Class | Heavyweight (250 lbs.) | |
| Height | 6' 0" (183 cm) | |
| Style | Pit Fighting, Brawling | |
| Birth Date | April 26, 1965 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Huntington Beach, California | |
| Country | USA | |
| David Abbott Pictures | Official Website |
David Lee "Tank" Abbott is an American mixed martial artist. He has described his fighting style, which he developed brawling in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, as "Pit Fighting." In addition to his MMA career, Abbott wrestled professionally between 1999 and 2001 under the ring name Tank Abbott. He is best known for his appearances in early UFC events, where he first gained notoriety.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 10 - 14 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 6 (T)KOs 3 Submissions 1 Decisions |
| Losses | 6 (T)KOs 6 Submissions 2 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Mike Bourke | KO (Punches) | Wargods/Ken Shamrock Productions: The Valentine's Eve Massacre | 2/13/2009 | 1 | 0:29 | |
| Loss | Kevin Ferguson | KO (Punches) | EliteXC: Street Certified | 2/16/2008 | 1 | 0:43 | |
| Loss | Gary Turner | TKO (Punches) | CR 21: Judgement Day | 4/21/2007 | 1 | 2:31 | |
| Loss | Paul Buentello | KO (Punch) | Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello | 10/07/2006 | 1 | 0:43 | |
| Loss | Hidehiko Yoshida | Submission (Single Wing Choke) | PRIDE: Final Conflict 2005 | 8/28/2005 | 1 | 7:40 | |
| Win | Wesley Correira | KO (Punch) | ROTR 7: Rumble on the Rock 7 | 5/07/2005 | 1 | 1:23 | |
| Loss | Wesley Correira | TKO (Cut) | UFC 45: Revolution | 11/21/2003 | 1 | 2:14 | |
| Loss | Kimo Leopoldo | Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) | UFC 43: Meltdown | 6/06/2003 | 1 | 1:59 | |
| Loss | Frank Mir | Submission (Toe Hold) | UFC 41: Onslaught | 2/28/2003 | 1 | 0:46 | |
| Loss | Pedro Rizzo | KO | UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil | 10/16/1998 | 1 | 8:07 | |
| Win | Hugo Duarte | TKO (Strikes) | UFC 17: Redemption | 5/15/1998 | 1 | 0:43 | |
| Win | Yoji Anjo | Decision | UFC Japan: Ultimate Japan 1 | 12/21/1997 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Loss | Maurice Smith | Submission (Strikes) | UFC 15: Collision Course | 10/17/1997 | 1 | 8:08 | For UFC Heavyweight Championship |
| Loss | Vitor Belfort | TKO (Punches) | UFC 13: The Ultimate Force | 5/30/1997 | 1 | 0:52 | UFC 13 Superfight |
| Loss | Don Frye | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UU 96: Ultimate Ultimate 1996 | 12/07/1996 | 1 | 1:22 | Ultimate Ultimate 96 Tournament Finals |
| Win | Steve Nelmark | KO | UU 96: Ultimate Ultimate 1996 | 12/07/1996 | 1 | 1:03 | |
| Win | Cal Worsham | Submission (Strikes) | UU 96: Ultimate Ultimate 1996 | 12/07/1996 | 1 | 2:51 | |
| Loss | Scott Ferrozzo | Decision | UFC 11: The Proving Ground | 9/20/1996 | 1 | 15:00 | |
| Win | Sam Adkins | Submission (Neck Crank) | UFC 11: The Proving Ground | 9/20/1996 | 1 | 2:06 | |
| Loss | Dan Severn | Decision (Unanimous) | UU 95: Ultimate Ultimate 1995 | 12/16/1995 | 1 | 18:00 | |
| Win | Steve Jennum | Submission (Neck Crank) | UU 95: Ultimate Ultimate 1995 | 12/16/1995 | 1 | 1:14 | |
| Loss | Oleg Taktarov | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UFC 6: Clash of the Titans | 7/14/1995 | 1 | 17:45 | UFC 6 Tournament Finals |
| Win | Paul Varelans | TKO (Strikes) | UFC 6: Clash of the Titans | 7/14/1995 | 1 | 1:53 | |
| Win | John Matua | KO | UFC 6: Clash of the Titans | 7/14/1995 | 1 | 0:20 | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career (1995-1998, 2003-present)
Abbott was a frequent participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 2007 he had a record of 8-10 with the 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 lbs., in 18 seconds. Later that night he fought Oleg Taktarov for over 17 minutes before succumbing to a rear naked choke. Both men collapsed in exhaustion after the fight, and Taktarov had to be carried out of the cage.
Despite never winning a UFC title, Abbott achieved a large amount of popularity due in large part to his displays of power and aggression and his no-nonsense, often comically disrespectful attitude. He also gained a degree of notoriety for his unorthodox look and fighting style, more reminiscent of a street fighter than a martial artist.
As of December 2008, Abbott had lost 8 of his last 9 fights, including a first round knockout loss to Kimbo Slice in February 2008, at the EliteXC: Street Certified event.
On February 13, 2009 at The Selland Arena in Fresno, California as a part of the Valentine's Eve Massacre Event Abbott faced off against Mike Bourke. Abbott knocked out Bourke in the first round and secured a victory for the first time in nearly four years. UFC Hall of Famer and fellow MMA legend, Ken Shamrock and Abbott have separately acknowledged that they are currently inking the contract to fight each other in April of this year, though Shamrock tested positive for steroids, the fight is currently up in the air.
Abbott has recently confirmed to "The Savage Dog Show" on Sherdog radio, that he has finished writing his book "Before There Were Rules," which chronicles his life, times and exploits in Huntington Beach prior and leading to his arrival at the UFC.
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 as Tank spent the next few months quickly beating jobbers in squash matches to boost his hype, and Abbott remained mostly a comedic wrestler, frequently being featured in segments with the boy band parody stable, Three Count with a brief feud with Sid Vicious prior. 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 Donald Duck. He would also make quacking noises at him. Many wrestling fans consider his career "damaged" 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. He also signed on to be with the WWE Classic Superstar Action Figure, which was released in July 2007.
In Wrestling
- Finishing and Signature Moves
- Phantom Fist (Right handed knockout punch)
- DDT
- Neck crank
Acting Career
Abbott appeared as a UFC fighter in the TV show Friends, fighting (and beating) Jon Favreau's character, the billionaire Pete Becker, who was dating Monica at the time.
Championships and Accomplishments
- UFC 6: Clash of the Titans Runner-Up
- UU 96: Ultimate Ultimate 1996 Runner-Up
- NJCAA All American (Wrestling)
- California High School State Champion (Wrestling)
