Tank Abbott

Tank Abbott
Abbott (left) with fans, 2015
Born	David Lee Abbott (1965-04-26) April 26, 1965 (age 51) Huntington Beach, California
Other names	Tank Abbott
Nationality	American
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	293 lb (133 kg; 20 st 13 lb)
Division	Super Heavyweight (no limit) Heavyweight (265 lb)
Style	Boxing, Wrestling
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Huntington Beach, California
Years active	1995-2009, 2013
Mixed martial arts record
Total	25
Wins	10
By knockout	6
By submission	3
By decision	1
Losses	15
By knockout	7
By submission	6
By decision	2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

David Lee "Tank" Abbott (born April 26, 1965) is an American mixed martial arts fighter, former 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. He has described his fighting style, which he developed brawling in the bars and streets of Huntington Beach, California, as "Pit Fighting". Abbott was the first fighter to regularly wear what would be known as traditional MMA gloves in the UFC. He is also the author of his biography which is called Bar Brawler.

Abbott was born and raised in Huntington Beach, California. Abbott began wrestling when he was nine years old, and continued through high school where he also played football. He then continued wrestling in college, where he was a NJCAA All-American before dropping out. Abbott is mainly known for the countless street fights that he has engaged in, rarely losing, and also has experience in boxing. While working at a liquor store to help pay for his college tuition, Abbott encountered a "smart-ass" customer. Abbott beat the customer severely, and the customer, who turned out to be a son of a detective, pressed charges for assault. Abbott spent six months in jail, the judge saying "Mr. Abbott, you are a maniac. I'm surprised you haven't killed somebody." His record at unsanctioned street fights was 1,089 wins and 37 losses before joining the UFC.

Abbott started his career in mixed martial arts when he applied to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for its event UFC 6 Clash of the Titans in Casper, Wyoming. He was put in contact with UFC management by his friend and future manager Dave Thomas, who described him as an experienced street fighter. This inspired Art Davie to compare him to the character of "Tank Murdock" from the 1978 Clint Eastwood movie Every Which Way but Loose, which enocuraged him to give David the nickname of "Tank Abbott" and the billing of a "pit fighter."