Dana White: “Tank Abbott absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame”

In a recent article by ESPN writer Michael Woods focusing on what lies ahead for recent Kimbo Slice victim, David “Tank” Abbott, there are a couple of quotes from UFC president Dana White on the recent EliteXC event.

White gives respect to Abbott but not to the recent Showtime production. EliteXC: Street Certified has now been lumped into the same category as Fedor Emelianenko with Dana White labelling the recent event a ‘farce’.

UFC president Dana White watched the Slice-Abbott fight Saturday after taking in the Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor fight.

He prefers that Abbott call it a day.

“I think the whole thing was a farce,” White said of the EliteXC promotion. “I love Tank. I have nothing but respect for him; he’s always been good to me. But I don’t want to see that again.”

White would like Abbott to concentrate on the book and his next logical out-of-the-cage career move.

The article finished with Dana White making somewhat of a surprising statement.

“Tank Abbott,” White said, “absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame.”

I know half of you probably choked on your cereal when you read that but you have to admit that Tank Abbott was an integral part in the development of MMA. Tank Abbott is a constant reminder of how far the sport has come and in the earlier years he was the yardstick as to whether or not your ‘style’ worked.  That being said, I find it very hard to picture a ceremony in which the guest of honor is Tank Abbott.

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The ESPN article also featured some post-fight comments from Tank. In defeat Abbott seemed impressed with Kimbo’s progression as a fighter.

Kimbo definitely came out differently than I thought he would. He’s improved his punches; they are straighter. He didn’t come out like he did in his videos. But I was whacking him, and he wasn’t moving, like a telephone pole. Usually when I hit someone, they move.

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