This Month’s MMA Birthdays: ‘Tank’ Abbott Turns 50

Brian KnappApr 01, 2015

David “Tank” Abbott turns 50 on April 26. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Perhaps no one in mixed martial arts history has inspired trepidation quite like David “Tank” Abbott, who will celebrate his 50th birthday on April 26.

Abbott debuted under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner in July 1995, scoring two of the most violent knockouts in the promotion’s history at UFC 6, first against John Matua and later against Paul Varelans. Though he lost the tournament final to Oleg Taktarov, his reputation had been established. Few men hit harder or with more ferocity. Ask Steve Nelmark, who was victimized in equally brutal fashion in 1996. Abbott competed in five UFC tournaments before exiting the organization in 2003, reaching the final in two of them and the semifinals in three others. His current record sits below .500 (10-15), but the Huntington Beach, Calif., remains a beloved figure among hardcore fans.

“Tank” last competed at a King of the Cage event in April 2013, as he succumbed to second-round punches from Ruben Villareal. Only three of his 25 pro bouts have gone the distance.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday during the month of April:

Photo: Marcelo Alonso/Sherdog.com

Belfort, 38, on April 1.

APRIL 1
Vitor Belfort (38)

APRIL 2
Luiz Cane (34)
Cole Konrad (31)
Yi Sak Kim (29)

APRIL 3
Chael Sonnen (38)
Kazunori Yokota (37)
Travis Reddinger (33)

APRIL 4
Ray Mercer (54)
Stephan Bonnar (38)
Brian Foster (31)
Asuka Mikami (30)

APRIL 5
James Wilks (37)

APRIL 6
Marcus Brimage (30)

Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Takada, 53, on April 12.

APRIL 7
David Baggett (35)
Russ Miura (34)

APRIL 9
Andrew McInnes (30)

APRIL 10
Luis Alberto Nogueira (33)
Sakae Kasuya (32)
Michal Materla (31)
Shinji Maeguchi (30)
James Moontasri (27)

APRIL 11
Gary Quan (44)
Krasimir Mladenov (29)

APRIL 12
Nobuhiko Takada (53)
Roman Savochka (37)
Gilbert Melendez (33)
Tiago dos Santos e Silva (28)
Rick Glenn (26)

APRIL 13
Emi Tomimatsu (33)
Ben Saunders (32)
Yuko Oya (28)

Photo: Sherdog.com

Silva, 40, on April 14.

APRIL 14
Ebenezer Fontes Braga (46)
Anderson Silva (40)
Jussier da Silva (30)

APRIL 15
Enson Inoue (48)
Kenichi Hattori (37)
Magomed Saadulaev (31)
Gabrielle Holloway (25)

APRIL 16
Jason Norwood (31)
Nate Diaz (30)
Pat Audinwood (29)
April Osenio (21)

APRIL 17
Benjamin Smith (35)
Martin Kampmann (33)
Tyron Woodley (33)
Siyar Bahadurzada (31)

APRIL 18
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (31)

APRIL 19
Farkhad Sharipov (31)
Kelli Gottardo (28)
Pascal Krauss (28)

Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Marquardt, 36, on April 20.

APRIL 20
Dean Storey (47)
Sheila Bird (39)
Moise Rimbon (38)
Daiju Takase (38)
Nate Marquardt (36)
Tyson Griffin (31)

APRIL 21
Ronny Markes (27)
Adriano Moraes (26)

APRIL 22
Eric Schambari (37)

APRIL 23
Josh Bryant (35)
Diego Saraiva (33)
Sam Stout (31)

APRIL 24
Marcio Cruz (37)
Achmed Labasanov (37)
Cosmo Alexandre (33)
Shoji Maruyama (32)
Alan Belcher (31)
Germaine de Randamie (31)
Michael Chandler (29)

APRIL 25
Kazuo Misaki (39)
Alexandre Ferreira (36)
Clifford Starks (34)
T.J. Waldburger (27)
Leonardo Mafra Texeira (26)

Photo: Keith Mills/Sherdog.com

Fujii, 41, on April 26.

APRIL 26
David Abbott (50)
Megumi Fujii (41)
Carlos Condit (31)
Cole Miller (31)
Marlon Moraes (27)

APRIL 27
Paul Cressaty (44)

APRIL 28
Leopoldo Serao (36)
Takasuke Kume (30)

APRIL 29
Dustin Hazelett (29)

APRIL 30
Jeff Joslin (40)
Yoel Romero (38)
Al Iaquinta (28)
Kinberly Tanaka Novaes (24)