It's insane how "good" Tank Abbott was

[Cantona7]

He might not have been the greatest fighter, but he’s on my Just Bleed Mount Rushmore...

 

[ramair455]

Sorry to say but I don't believe this anymore. I don't doubt he was strong, but no way is he benching 600 raw.

that Olympic bar bending is real. I powerlifted back in the day and that bar starts to really bend like that at 500lbs +

 

[cade187]

Anyone who was watching UFC back then that says they weren't a Tank Abbott fan is a liar. He was never great, but you always wanted to watch in case he tore some guy's head off.

 

[Turdbucket]

Yeah, Tanks closetgay rage was unreal fueled by steroids! He lived a pretty sad and destructive life but he gave us some great moments! His book was beyond bizarre but not boring. You kinda feel sad for him even though he is a constant asshole. He could actually have been a great fighter.

 

[italiamusica]

<3 Tank forever, he was the reason my Dad ordered one of the early PPV's and brought it into my life.

 

[italiamusica]

You kinda feel sad for him even though he is a constant asshole

He almost seems to be proud of his assholeishness

 

[TheSpider]

Where is the gif of Tank stiffening Matua? @CTE_Fan

 

[GOATtalks]

Tank Abbotts success goes to show how much the sport has evolved. If a prime Tank was put into the UFC HW division today he wouldn't make the top 10.

Prime Tank Abbott might not go through Contenders series to even get to UFC

 

[campbecc]

and how many people knew those names? Me, you, and like ... 50000 people worldwide?

I guarantee millions know Belfort

 

[gono btw]

Couldnt stand him back in the day, but he progressively became The Voice of The Ol´School...

Hespekt.

 

[Make Sherdog Great Again]

He had a decent run in WCW also.

 

[CTE_Fan]

Where is the gif of Tank stiffening Matua? @CTE_Fan

lol here's all of em including a full fight gif. I haven't found another knockout that I can't get bored watching. The hidden details of tank grabbing his dojo shirt and punching him on the way down with an angry face is just classic. Makes you wonder what John matua was thinking stepping into a no holds barred cage. Did he really think he had a chance? Lol


Full fight GIF

 

[tasticles]

If you ignore the fact he had a background in boxing and wrestling and was more of an MMA fighter than the majority of his opposition...

and that Judoka typically only have a few tricks off of their back..... His knees were fucked up, so he pulled guard a lot.

 

[Brom Bones]

Frye vs Tank at Ultimate Ultimate 96 is my favorite fight of all time in any organization. If that goofy bastard hadn't tripped like an old man, he easily could have won that fight. He was dropping bombs on The Predator and only his notorious toughness kept Frye on his feet.

If he had won that tournament with the names in it, his legacy would have been way different.

 

[TheSpider]

lol here's all of em including a full fight gif. I haven't found another knockout that I can't get bored watching. The hidden details of tank grabbing his dojo shirt and punching him on the way down with an angry face is just classic. Makes you wonder what John matua was thinking stepping into a no holds barred cage. Did he really think he had a chance? Lol


Full fight GIF

Best KO in UFC history. Matua is stiff af. @AGEZ909 agrees

 

[StoneWT]

To be fair, Tank was robbed of some tournament wins. He should have beat Captain Moustache and Taktarov. Don Frye had a joke fight in his run and Taktarov's last opponent threw the fight. Tank was doing well against both. He conceivably would have won if both guys had to go hard for another couple of minutes and/or took more damage.

 

[Brom Bones]

Did Tank ever use his wrestling though? I don't recall, myself. I remember him being introduced as a pit fighter, whatever that means.

I remember once during a fight he used a wrestling move, like a fireman's carry or something like that and Blatnick and the other guy (Bruce Beck) mentioned how Tank had an amateur wrestling background.

 

[TheMaster]

He actually beat Hugo Duarte who was considered pretty legit in the Vale Tudo scene...

Yes, wasn't Hugo Duarte like the Vale Tudo equivalent of Rickson Gracie?
It was a HUGE deal in Brazil when Tank whooped him.

Watch the reaction in the next fight when Pedro Rizzo beat Tank and 'avenged the honor' of vale tudo...they went crazy which shows you how high Tank was rated in Brazil off of that win at the time.

 

[gono btw]

Yes, wasn't Hugo Duarte like the Vale Tudo equivalent of Rickson Gracie?
It was a HUGE deal in Brazil when Tank whooped him.

Watch the reaction in the next fight when Pedro Rizzo beat Tank and 'avenged the honor' of vale tudo...they went crazy which shows you how high Tank was rated in Brazil off of that win at the time.

He was called 'The General' of the Luta Livre crew...

 

[davidlemonparty]

@TankAbbott4Eva
Get in here and defend ya boi