Tank Abbott
Biography
David Lee "Tank" Abbott (born April 26, 1965) is an American retired mixed martial arts fighter, professional wrestler, and author. He currently hosts his own podcast series titled "The Proving Ground with Tank Abbott." Abbott is perhaps best known for being an icon in the early stages of mixed martial arts and the UFC, but has also competed in the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Strikeforce, EliteXC, and Cage Rage. His fighting style, which he developed brawling in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, was described by his future manager Dave Thomas as "Pit Fighting". Abbott was the first fighter to regularly wear what would be known as traditional MMA gloves in the UFC. He also authored a novel titled Bar Brawler.
Known For
WCW Monday Nitro
1995
WCW New Blood Rising
2000
0WCW Uncensored 2000
2000
WCW Souled Out 2000
2000
WCW SuperBrawl 2000
2000
UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate
1995
UFC Hits: Volume 1
2000
0WCW The Great American Bash 2000
2000
UFC 43: Meltdown
2003
UFC 6: Clash Of The Titans
1995
UFC Ultimate Knockouts
2003
GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII
2025
Filmography
WCW Monday Nitro
· 1995
WCW New Blood Rising
as Tank Abbott (Ringside) · 2000
WCW Uncensored 2000
as Tank Abbott (Appearance) · 2000
WCW Souled Out 2000
as Tank Abbott · 2000
WCW SuperBrawl 2000
as Tank Abbott · 2000
UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate
as Self · 1995
UFC Hits: Volume 1
as Self · 2000
WCW The Great American Bash 2000
as Himself · 2000
UFC 43: Meltdown
as Self · 2003
UFC 6: Clash Of The Titans
as Self · 1995
UFC Ultimate Knockouts
as Himself · 2003
GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII
as Tank Abbott · 2025
UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate
· 1995
UFC 13: The Ultimate Force
as Self · 1997
UFC 6: Clash of the Titans
· 1995
UFC 15: Collision Course
as Self · 1997
UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil
as Self · 1998
UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1
as Self · 1997
Pride Final Conflict 2005
as Self · 2005
UFC 45: Revolution
as Self · 2003
UFC 11: The Proving Ground
as Self · 1996
Strikeforce: Tank vs Buentello
as Self · 2006
UFC 11.5: Ultimate Ultimate 2
as Self · 1996
EliteXC: Street Certified
as Self · 2008
UFC 41: Onslaught
as Self · 2003
UFC 17: Redemption
as Self · 1998