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DAVID "TANK" 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)
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.
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
Phantom Fist (Right handed knockout punch)
DDT
Neck crank
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.
Source:Wikipedia
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