Tank Abbott: Future UFC Hall of Famer?

I could see the reasoning for letting tank in given his popularity during the early days of the UFC but I really don’t think he should be in there. I don’t really think he’d taken someone else spot exactly, he’s just not a good fighter and never was. I think you’d need far more fighting talent than he has to qualify for Hall of Fame.

agreed.  What did Tank give to the sport?  Gracie introduced the world to BJJ, changing the fight game forever; shamrock was the first real “Mixed” martial artist, combining dangerous, accurate striking with a well versed submission game; Coleman introduced G-n’-P which forced a change in the BJJ guard game.  What has Tank accomplished except continue to perpetuate the tough-man-fall-off-a-barstool-and swing stereotype?  In my book, Tank is the epitome of what MMA had to run from in order to be the sport it is now.

Tough question>

In the early days Tank got me super-excited to watch fights, however his recent showings, attitude, sloth, have somewhat disgraced him

The hall of fame should be for fighters with a hall of fame resume in the ring.  This is not Tank.  To me, what’s worse than taking a spot is that Tank’s inclusion would take away from those in the hall of fame and those that will be future inductees.  This is a complete joke.

I disagree with all of you. I totally agree with Tank being inducted. He made it to the finals of 2 tournaments in which there was no wieght classes and no where near as many rules as we have today. Tank always has been and always will be my favorite fighter.

The UFC hall of fame is little more than a sales tool for the marketing behemoth that is the UFC. it’s a shame so many fans fall into the trap.

Unfortunately, I will have to agree with you if Tank is inducted into the hall of fame. This move would severely cheapen the prestige of making it into the hall of fame, in my opinion.
I agree that Tank Abbott is definitely an important character in the history of MMA, but he’s important in a different way than being a hall of famer.

Tank not getting into the Hall would be a travesty. When the UFC was in it’s infancy, Tank’s popularity was greater than Gracie’s, Shamrock’s, Frye’s, Coleman’s or any of the old champs you can think of. He brought a Tyson like persona and menace to the Octagon. Whenever he stepped in the ring, someone probably would be knocked out. He is one of the UFC legends. His popularity even got him a stint on pro wrestling. He provided excitement to the sport, at a time where most competitors wanted to lay on the ground, he would bring it to your chest, check your chin, or slam you through the mat. His record cannot show these qualities or what he brought to the game. A true legend.

It is the “Hall of Fame?” Fame=Popularity?
just a thought…

“The UFC hall of fame is little more than a sales tool for the marketing behemoth that is the UFC. it’s a shame so many fans fall into the trap.”

Yeah, damn those marketers! Ha! While you’re linking to your website… Search Engine Marketing is no different, bud.

Tank deserves to be in the UFC because he was one of the first house hold names in this sport and helped MAKE IT popular. He showed the world the good and the bad of the sport, which it needed.

In the end, Tank was the most disrespectful, non-training mother f’er, baddest street fighter to walk into the octagon.

Sure, he lost a lot - but he made the sport interesting when some of us were stuck watching 2 grapplers “duke it out” on the ground for 30 minutes… ughh.

Look, Gracie and Shamrock were legends. But, if it weren’t for Tank - there would be very few strikers in this sport because everyone would be trying to learn BJJ or wrestling. He took it to the guy who stepped in to do battle with him, regardless of who it was.

And, up until he threw his last fight (Kimbo), he would show no fear… he LOVED to fight. Unfortunately, he obviously needed the extra money when EliteXC asked him to do the old WWF antics he pulled against Kimbo.

But, what do you expect? Dana White and the UFC have never paid fighters crap. They keep claiming that the PPV buys are not much - yet they keep BREAKING RECORDS and STILL making excuses…

It reminds me of Big Oil corporations having their best quarters over, each and every quarter - while we’re stuck buying their lies and overpriced products to make them rich.

/rant

Oh yeah, don’t forget that he was also the first to make major Television appearances, based on his popularity in America, the place that made UFC.

Is he a legend? Maybe not to all of the newbie MMA fans who only look at records and know all of the latest BJJ moves, but to the guys who have been following UFC since it’s birth, yes, he’s a legend.

Thanks Clint. Don’t know if he threw the fight or suffered from the barrage that was thrown at him(I watched it and they were both throwing heavy leather,if Tank connected one of thos JackHammers, Kimbo would’ve gone night,night...he just landed 1st.), but I do see you realize how important a figure Abbott is and was. Only guys who haven’t been around from the beginning could bring themselves to believe Tank isn’t a Hall of Famer.

Hey Fightfan,

I agree, it is the newbies who just jumped into MMA since The Ultimate Fighter appeared on Spike and now the even more annoying Youtube Kimbo fans. They look at records and “what have you done now”.

Well, they seem to be a little backwards in thinking… if life were like that - there would be no Jim Thorpes, Michael Jordan’s, Babe Ruth’s, etc.

As for the Kimbo and Tank fight—check out the pre-fight interview where Tank looks nervous. He NEVER looks nervous. Then - notice the stare down before the fight… this guy LOVES stare downs and all the sudden he won’t even look into his eyes?

Tank’s old - but he’s not dumb. EliteXC’s owner is shady as it is… check out Kimbo’s fight vs. Bo Cantrell too. (fixed)

i disagree with most of you,records are a load of BS.The hall of fame is as it says,A HALL OF FAME!!
tank is one of the best known and most exciting fighters to fight in the UFC.the hall of fame is to houner fighters that helped the sport grow,and tank HAS done that.