June 6, 2024 • 2hr 16min

JRE MMA Show #158 with Tank Abbott

The Joe Rogan Experience

Joe Rogan welcomes David "Tank" Abbott, a retired professional mixed martial artist and pioneer in the early days of the UFC. Tank was known for his raw fighting ability, power, and willingness to take on all comers, even when the rules and refereeing were chaotic and questionable.

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Key Takeaways

Tank Abbott was one of the original pioneers and legends of early MMA, known for his raw fighting ability, power, and willingness to take on all comers.
The early UFC events were chaotic, with minimal rules and referees who sometimes intervened in questionable ways to influence fights.
Tank had a reputation as a "street fighter" who valued fighting spirit and toughness over technical martial arts skills.
After retiring from fighting, Tank's lifestyle of heavy drinking nearly killed him, leading to liver and kidney failure that required multiple transplants and nearly cost him his life.
The near-death experience transformed Tank's perspective, making him less narcissistic and more appreciative of others.
Tank has written a trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels about his life as a bar brawler and early MMA fighter.

Introduction

Joe Rogan welcomes David "Tank" Abbott, a retired professional mixed martial artist and pioneer in the early days of the UFC. Tank was known for his raw fighting ability, power, and willingness to take on all comers, even when the rules and refereeing were chaotic and questionable.

Topics Discussed

The Early UFC and Tank's Fighting Style (1:02)

Tank was one of the first fighters to wear gloves in the UFC, recognizing the need to protect his hands.
The early UFC events had minimal rules - the only prohibited actions were biting and eye gouging.
Tank was known for his "fighter's fortitude" - the mental toughness and willingness to do whatever it took to win, rather than relying solely on technical martial arts skills.
He would often go to local martial arts schools and challenge the students to fights, knocking out many of them.
Tank had a reputation as a "street fighter" who valued fighting spirit over formal training.

Controversies with Referee John McCarthy (32:53)

Tank believes referee John McCarthy, who was closely associated with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, unfairly targeted and tried to get him kicked out of the UFC.
Tank claims McCarthy would intervene in fights in questionable ways, such as breaking up fights prematurely, to give advantages to grapplers and submission specialists.
Tank felt McCarthy and his wife Elaine tried to leverage their positions to have Tank banned from the UFC after an incident at a post-event party.

Tank's Drinking and Health Issues (1:40:25)

After retiring from fighting, Tank descended into a heavy drinking lifestyle that nearly killed him.
He developed liver and kidney failure that required multiple transplants, during which he had several strokes and nearly died on the operating table.
The near-death experience transformed Tank's perspective, making him less narcissistic and more appreciative of others.
Tank struggled with mental confusion and aggression due to ammonia buildup in his blood from his failing liver.

Tank's Writing and Novels (2:06:15)

Tank has written a trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels titled "Bar Brawler", "Cage Fighter", and "Before There Were Rules".
The novels follow the fictional character of Walter Fox, who is based on Tank's own experiences as a bar fighter and early MMA pioneer.
Tank wrote the entire 900+ page trilogy by hand in spiral notebooks, without the use of a ghostwriter or typing.
He had the books produced as audiobooks using AI narration, which he was pleased with the results.

Conclusion

Through this wide-ranging conversation, Joe Rogan and Tank Abbott provide a fascinating glimpse into the early, chaotic days of the UFC and Tank's journey as one of its original legends. Tank's raw fighting ability, willingness to take on all comers, and "fighter's fortitude" made him a standout personality, even as the refereeing and rules were often questionable.

After retiring from fighting, Tank's heavy drinking lifestyle nearly cost him his life, leading to multiple organ failures and transplants. This near-death experience transformed his perspective, making him less narcissistic and more appreciative of others. Tank has channeled his experiences into a trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels, further cementing his legacy as a pioneer in the world of combat sports.

Throughout the conversation, Tank's unique personality, storytelling, and insights into the early days of MMA provide a captivating look at a bygone era and the individuals who helped shape the sport. His journey from bar brawler to UFC legend to near-death survivor and author underscores the dramatic highs and lows of his remarkable life.