Tank Abbott MMAMemories.com Exclusive Biofile Published by Scoop Malinowski Last Updated on September 9th, 2008

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STATUS: MMA Heavyweight fighter.

HT: 6-0 WT: 230

DOB: April 26, 1965 In: Huntington Beach, CA

FIGHT INSPIRATIONS: “Not really. Maybe all the big-name boxers that came around in the ’70′s and 80s, Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Duran, Leonard.”

CHILDHOOD HEROES: “Not really. Never really had any heroes. Dick Butkus for a lil while.”

LEISURE ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS: “When I’m not working I like to have fun behind the bar.”

NICKNAMES: “Tank’s the only one I’ve ever had.”

FAVORITE MOVIES: “Leaving Las Vegas, Barfly, Raging Bull, Blue Velvet.”

FAVORITE TV SHOWS: “Don’t have any. Any type of magazine-type shows, History Channel.”

MUSICAL TASTES: “The whole gamut of music from punk rock to classical – Beethoven.”

LAST BOOK READ: “My own. I’m writing a book now. I’m editing it right now (Tank’s in the airport about to depart to Japan with Josh Barnett).”

CHILDHOOD DREAM: “What I became. Even though it didn’t exist back then, I lived my dream.”

FAVORITE MEAL: “Good piece of prime rib and a baked potato, that’s about it.”

FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR: “Have to be chocolate.”

FIRST FIGHT MEMORY: “That I can remember…there’s a zillion of ‘em [laughs]. Fighting my brother (Dan), he’s five years older than me. I cracked him over the head with a two-by-four as a kid. Continued to beat him up.”

PRE-FIGHT FEELING: “Just know that I’m prepared and I’m able to fight the way I can. A little anxiety. You just might not be on that night.”

FIRST JOB: “Moving furniture on the weekends. Delivering furniture actually for a furniture company.”

FIRST CAR: “Pontiac Firebird (brown).”

CURRENT CARS: “Mercedes and an Escalade.”

GREATEST SPORTS MOMENT: “Still coming. So far, probably my UFC 6 (’95, Clash of the Titans in Casper, WY: KO 1 John Matua, TKO 1 Paul Varelans, loss by rear naked choke to Taktarov). That was the funnest.”

MOST PAINFUL MOMENT: “You know, probably all my fights when I came back to the UFC. Comeback fights were pretty painful. I just wasn’t there at all for any of them. Felt like a walking zombie.”

WORST INJURY: “Breaking my hand on Cabbage’s head.”

FUNNY FIGHTING MEMORY: “I don’t know, probably…there’s a zillion of them too. Trying to think of one. Can’t think of one that pops in my head.”

EMBARRASSING FIGHTING MEMORY: “I’ve never really been embarrassed. Embarrassing, to me, is empowering, to give other people the power to embarrass you. I don’t care what other people think, for the most part. Unless they’re close to me.”

FAVORITE FIGHTERS TO WATCH: “I like to watch Fedor. (What about him?) I’m impressed by his cardio, his balance, his hips. I like his demeanor in the cage. An all-around, solid, well-rounded guy.”

TOUGHEST MAN FACED: “Oh man, they’re all tough. Just all different.”

WHICH FIGHT WERE YOU AT YOUR VERY BEST: “The Ultimate Ultimate was pretty good (’96). I don’t know. Still to come.”

LAST VACTION: “Trying to think…after Kimbo fight I went to Key West. Did some fishing.”

BEST FIGHT SEEN: “Last fight, Fedor and what’s his name (Tim Sylvia). Just because it was a great fight. Absolutely electric.”

PEOPLE QUALITIES MOST ADMIRED: “Honesty.”

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