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

HD

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII

2025 ⭐ 8.0

HD

UFC 45: Revolution

2003 ⭐ 6.1

HD

UFC Ultimate Knockouts

2003 ⭐ 6.0

HD

UFC 43: Meltdown

2003 ⭐ 6.8

Career timeline

2025

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Notable

Tank Abbott · 2025

⭐ 8.0

2008

EliteXC: Street Certified

Self · 2008

2006

Strikeforce: Tank vs Buentello

Self · 2006

2005

Pride Final Conflict 2005

Self · 2005

⭐ 4.8

2003

UFC 45: Revolution

Self · 2003

⭐ 6.1

UFC Ultimate Knockouts

Himself · 2003

⭐ 6.0

UFC 43: Meltdown

Self · 2003

⭐ 6.8

2000

WCW New Blood Rising Notable

Tank Abbott (Ringside) · 2000

⭐ 7.3

UFC Hits: Volume 1 Notable

Self · 2000

⭐ 7.2

WCW The Great American Bash 2000

Himself · 2000

1998

UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil

Self · 1998

⭐ 5.2

UFC 17: Redemption

Self · 1998

⭐ 5.9

1997

UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1

Self · 1997

⭐ 6.2

UFC 15: Collision Course

Self · 1997

⭐ 6.5

UFC 13: The Ultimate Force Notable

Self · 1997

⭐ 7.1

1996

UFC 11.5: Ultimate Ultimate 2

Self · 1996

⭐ 6.8

UFC 11: The Proving Ground

Self · 1996

⭐ 6.1

1995

UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate

Self · 1995

⭐ 6.1

UFC 7.5: The Ultimate Ultimate

1995

UFC 6: Clash Of The Titans

Self · 1995

⭐ 6.3

Frequently appears with

Miyu Yamashita

Miyu Yamashita

Nattie Neidhart-Wilson

Nattie Neidhart

Shinya Aoki

Shinya Aoki

Seth Lesser

Simon Gotch

Matt Hughes

Self

Frank Trigg

Self

Matt Lindland

Self

Falaniko Vitale

Self

Full filmography

HD

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII

2025 ⭐ 8.0

HD

EliteXC: Street Certified

2008

HD

Strikeforce: Tank vs Buentello

2006

HD

Pride Final Conflict 2005

2005 ⭐ 4.8

HD

UFC 45: Revolution

2003 ⭐ 6.1

HD

UFC Ultimate Knockouts

2003 ⭐ 6.0

HD

UFC 43: Meltdown

2003 ⭐ 6.8

HD

UFC 41: Onslaught

2003 ⭐ 6.3

HD

WCW New Blood Rising

2000 ⭐ 7.3

HD

UFC Hits: Volume 1

2000 ⭐ 7.2

HD

WCW The Great American Bash 2000

2000

HD

WCW Uncensored 2000

2000

HD

WCW SuperBrawl 2000

2000 ⭐ 10.0

HD

WCW Souled Out 2000

2000

HD

UFC 17.5: Ultimate Brazil

1998 ⭐ 5.2

HD

UFC 17: Redemption

1998 ⭐ 5.9

HD

UFC 15.5: Ultimate Japan 1

1997 ⭐ 6.2

HD

UFC 15: Collision Course

1997 ⭐ 6.5

HD

UFC 13: The Ultimate Force

1997 ⭐ 7.1

HD

UFC 11.5: Ultimate Ultimate 2

1996 ⭐ 6.8