Tank Abbott Return to the UFC | MMA History Podcast

MMA Detective Mike Davis and co-host Joey Venti sit down once again with early MMA legend and the original Huntington Beach Bad Boy, David "Tank" Abbott. This is Tank's third appearance on the show, delivering his signature no-holds-barred perspective on the raw, untamed early days of mixed martial arts. In this wide-ranging conversation, Tank addresses viral social media moments including his legendary 600-pound bench press (spotted by former UFC executive David Isaacs) and his story of a young, angry Strickland trying to fight him in a bar, only for Tank to take the kid under his wing for the night. He also shares candid recollections from his UFC run, WCW transition, training with John Marsh, fights against Frank Mir, Kimo Leopoldo, and Wesley "Cabbage" Correira, plus his thoughts on the creation of the light heavyweight division, backstage politics, and the evolution of the sport. Straight from one of MMA's most polarizing and entertaining pioneers, this episode is packed with firsthand history, strong opinions, and stories you won't hear anywhere else. If you want the unfiltered truth about the men who built mixed martial arts, this is essential listening. The MMA History Podcast is dedicated to preserving the sport's rich heritage through in-depth interviews and obsessive research. Hundreds of episodes, thousands of hours of documentation—all conducted by the most dedicated mind in the business. Subscribe for more early MMA stories direct from the fighters who lived them. What was your favorite Tank moment in this one? Drop it in the comments. 0:00 MMA history podcast intro 0:32 Joey Venti’s guest introduction 0:49 interview start 1:36 600 LB bench press video 3:10 Sean Strickland trying to fight Tank Abbott 5:11 called and alcoholic by John McCarthy 7:35 thoughts on the Vitor Belfort 9:54 how Tito Ortiz made it to the UFC 12:28 fighters pretending to be tough guys 14:58 talking Authority figures with John McCarthy 18:57 Dana White managing Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell 21:15 Tito Ortiz selling merchandise a