Tank Abbott

David Lee "Tank" Abbott (born April 26, 1965 in Huntington Beach, California) is a Mixed martial arts fighter whose fighting style is self-described as "Street fighting", a style he developed fighting on the streets of Huntington Beach, California. He was also a professional wrestler for a short time. Early in the history of MMA competitions, he was one of the most feared strikers to have participated. Abbott also has a university degree in History.

Mixed Martial Arts career
Abbott was a frequent participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 2005 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.

Despite never winning a UFC title, Abbott achieved some 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, having been quoted as saying "I don't respect anybody, not even you" (to a UFC reporter who queried about whether he respects his opponents). He was also featured in UFC's Ultimate KnockOuts 3

After the demise of WCW, Abbott returned to MMA at UFC 41, where he lost by submission to Frank Mir in 41 seconds.

On August 28, 2005, Abbott was defeated in his Pride debut by Japan's Hidehiko Yoshida during the Final Conflict event.

At Cage Rage 17 in London, England on July 1, Tank was to fight Amokrane "Kiane" Sabet, a former bodyguard. However, Sabet was forced to drop out of the fight due to an injury sustained during his training.

On October 7 2006, Abbott faced Paul Buentello at Strikeforce's Fresno, California event. He lost his bout against Buentello via KO at 43 seconds of the first round.

At Cage Rage 21, on April 21, 2007, Abbott replaced Bob Sapp in a fight against Gary Turner. Turner defeated Abbott by TKO in the first round.

Professional wrestling career
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, 3 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, "Duck," and would make quacking noises at him. Many wrestling fans consider his career irreparably damaged after he jobbed to actor (and then WCW Champion) David Arquette, losing by pinfall, though he had help from Diamond Dallas Page. Recently, he signed on to be with the WWE Classic Superstar Action Figure line set to be released in 2007.

Physical abilities
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. Abbott responded to this claim during an interview, highlighting the ridiculousness of someone "bouncing" 600 pounds of weight off their chest without sustaining massive injury.

Finishing and signature moves

 * Phantom Fist (Right handed knockout punch)
 * Neck crank
 * DDT

MMA record

 * style="text-align: center" colspan=8| 9 Wins (5 KO's, 3 submissions, 1 decision), 13 Losses (5 KO's, 6 submissions, 2 decisions), 0 Draws
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Date
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Result
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Opponent
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Event
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Method
 * align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #f0f0f0"|Round, Time
 * 4/21/2007
 * Loss
 * Gary Turner
 * Cage Rage 21
 * TKO
 * Round 1, 2:27
 * 10/7/2006
 * Loss
 * Paul Buentello
 * Strikeforce - Tank vs Buentello
 * KO
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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 Utlimate 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, 17:45
 * 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
 * Round 1, 0:20
 * 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, 17:45
 * 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
 * Round 1, 0:20
 * UFC 6-Clash of the Titans
 * KO
 * Round 1, 0:20

Life Outside The Cage
His bad boy image and tough biker look, which has much to do with the promoters of the UFC attempting create a villain of sorts out of Tank, 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.

Abbott was the UFC fighter who appeared on the TV show Friends, fighting (and beating) Jon Favreau's character, the millionaire 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,