July News Part 2
Please take some time and sign our guestbook!
|
Quote
of the Day
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you
can do for your country."
John F. Kennedy |
Super
Brawl Weigh-Ins Tonight
Just a reminder to go to Gussie LaMour's tonight at 7:00 pm to
view the weigh-ins for tomorrow's event with fights that include
Marcelo Tigre, Egan Inoue, Ron Jhun, and Niko Vitale. By the
way, this is your last day to purchase a $25 ticket. Tomorrow
it goes up to $29. |
Relson
Seminar & Tournament
Relson Gracie will be conducting a seminar in Columbus, Ohio
on August the 11th and 12th. Private classes will be offered
on August the 9th and 10th.
The
Relson Gracie U.S. Natonals
The
tournament will be held on October the 20th and 21st at the Ohio
State University. We'll be offering $5,000.00 to the first place
team, $3,000.00 for 2nd place and $1,000.00 to the 3rd place
team. For more information call 614-238-3662 or email your inquires
to graciemidwest@aol.com
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MMA
Rankings
Here is a set of rankings by a select few individuals. Notice
that you do not see Joel Gold or Tom DeFazio from FCF. They are
the definitive authorities on rankings if they decided to do
so based on the fact that they cover all the MMA events worldwide
and have probably seen more event between the two of them than
all of those who contributed to construct this ranking list.
One interesting note is the level of BJ Penn after only two fights.
At least the media seems to recognize Hawaii's fastest growing
MMA star.
Mixed Martial
Arts Media Top 10
July, 2001
Heavyweights
- 205 lbs. and up (93 kg and up)
1. Mark Coleman
156
2. Randy Couture 135
3. Igor Vovchanchyn 114
4. Pedro Rizzo 111
5. Kazuyuki Fujita 91
6. Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira 81
7. Heath Herring 55
8. Mark Kerr 40
9. Josh Barnett 36
10. Tra Telligman 30
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Light Heavyweights
- 185 - 204.9 lbs. (92.9 -83.9 kg.)
1. Tito Ortiz
159
2. Vanderlei Silva 140
3. Dan Henderson 119
4. Chuck Liddell 114
5. Vitor Belfort 100
6. Guy Mezger 51
7. Elvis Sinosic 46
8. Kevin Randleman 38
9. Allan Goes 36
10. Vladimir Matyushenko 26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Middleweights
- 170 - 184.9 lbs. (77.1 - 83.9 kg)
1. Kazushi Sakuraba
159
2. Dave Menne 140
3. Frank Shamrock 116
4. Matt Lindland 91
5. Renzo Gracie 82
6. Sanae Kikuta 80
7. Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons 68
8. Paulo Filho 41
9. Ikuhisa Minowa 32
10. Joe Doerkson 24
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Welterweights
- 155 - 169.9 lbs. (70.3 - 77.1 kg)
1. Hayato Sakurai
158
2. Carlos Newton 144
3. Pat Miletich 126
4. Frank Trigg 108
5. Matt Hughes 90
6. Shonie Carter 63
7. Anderson Silva 56
8. Tetsuji Kato 50
9. Nathan Marquardt 35
10. Sean Sherk 22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lightweights
- Up to 154.9 lbs. (up to 70.3 kg.)
1. Jens Pulver
158
2. Caol Uno 141
3. BJ Penn 112
4. Rumina Sato 94
5. Alexandre Nogueira 81
6. Din Thomas 74 (tie)
6. Takanori Gomi 74 (tie)
8. Dennis Hallman 47
9. Fabiano Iha 72
10. Dokonjonosuke Mishima 33
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Quote
of the Day
"To imagine is everything, to know is nothing at all."
Anatole France |
Super
Brawl Weigh-Ins Friday
The official weigh-ins for Super Brawl will be held at Gussie's
(by the airport) at 7:00 PM. If you would like to meet the fighters
or just experience what a MMA weigh-in is like, come down. There
is usually always something interesting or funny that goes on.
You can also start feeling the tension of the fighters as the
first step to fight is made.
Do
yourself a favor and save $5 by purchasing your ticket today
or tomorrow. The day of the event, the price goes up $5.
Here's
the promoter's "official" weigh-in announcement. By
the way, I've been to the "entertainment." It is pretty
entertaining.
Note to self: Bring $40 or my own oil.
From
the event's promoter:
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Super Brawl
Weigh-In
Goes Back to the Future!
It
all began in the winter of 1995 at a run down bar by the airport
in Honolulu Hawaii. 8 street fighters stepped in a 16 foot make
shift ring at Gussie LaMour's night club and made history. That
is how the now successful and respected (well, somewhat) Super
Brawl event got its start.
For
all those pining for the good ol' days, you don't have to pine
any longer. Official weigh-ins and rules briefing will take place
at this hallowed ground on Friday night July 20, at 7pm. Come
on down and meet the fighters and talk to some who were there
when it all began. Trade your fondest memories of the Gussie
Dome!...Oh, ya...Entertainment will follow the weigh-ins. |
|
Tank
Abbott Interview Part 1 & 2
Sherdog has transcribed part 1 and 2 of a 4 part interview with
David "Tank" Abbott and has posted it on his site.
So far, it is a very interesting and entertaining interview.
David "Tank"
Abbott
July 17, 2001
David Lee Abbott,
known as "Tank", set foot in the octagon over six years
ago, on July 14, 1995. His first fight left his 400 pound oppnonant
John Matua in convulsions. Abbott smiled while pinning the head
of his second opponant, Paul Varelans, to the ground with his
knee. After brutally beating and mocking his first two opponants,
the UFC had it's first "Bad Boy." Tank came across
as loudmouthed, brash, and arrogant -- but most importantly did
a lot of his talking in the ring.
Three years and
fifteen fights later, Abbott is noticed by the now defunct WCW,
and drops professional fighting altogether for a more lucrative
carreer as a pro-wrestler.
Tank's popularity
shot to the top from his very first UFC, and arguably remains
unrivaled to this day.
Jeff Sherwood sat
down with Tank Abbott at Patsy's Bar in Westminster, California.
The tape recorders ran for 108-minutes to bring this exclusive
four-part interview with David "Tank" Abbott.
Sherdog.com: What
are you up to? What is the current status of your WCW contract?
Tank Abbott: Well,
I have just been sitting at home collecting a check, and waiting
to hear from whoever calls.
Sherdog.com: You
wouldn't be able to fight No Holds Barred if somebody contacted
you, would you?
Tank Abbott: No,
not at all.
Sherdog.com: Your
contract is up when?
Tank Abbott: About
a year.
Sherdog.com: So
you are defiantly looking to comeback?
Tank Abbott: Well,
fighting is my first love, so yeah, absolutely.
Sherdog.com: How
was Pro-wrestling? I haven't seen you on in a while. What is
going on?
Tank Abbott: When
I was wrestling, it was definitely a party. As long as you understand
it's a party, you have a great time.
Sherdog.com: What
is the story, why haven't you been on lately?
Tank Abbott: Well,
WCW is done. Vince McMahon bought it. As we speak it is no longer
on the air. We have no idea who he is going to employ. It is
up to him. If you draw money and he thinks you draw money, then
you are in.
Sherdog.com: What
were the other wrestlers like? Were they cool, did they respect
you?
Tank Abbott: Everyone was cool. I had no problems with anyone.
It was like a big family. We would go out to clubs and get into
it. I went out almost every night. But no one messes with me.
So regardless of me being a professional wrestler, or whatever
no one ever messes with me. I had no problems with any of those
guys. There were a couple of rumors, but there was nothing. I
think that everyone that wrestles is pretty much aware that they
are wrestling and not fighting. They never really wanted to go
there with me.
Sherdog.com: Do
you like wrestling?
Tank Abbott: Yeah!
It was a blast. It was really fun. It's just a job. It is obviously
entertainment, and it is fun.
Sherdog.com: When
they approached you to become a pro-wrestler, you had previously
given Ken Shamrock a hard time about going to wrestling. Was
that a tough choice for you?
Tank Abbott: It
wasn't a hard decision. I didn't give Ken sh-t for going, it
was just that the time that he went there was still money in
the UFC and people were able to get paid from it. He just left
early. When I left, the show was paying people peanuts, and that
is what they are doing now. That's why you have only a few good
fighters there and the rest are in Pride.
Sherdog.com: Do
you still feel the same way about Ken?
Tank Abbott: I
have never really had any heat with Ken, but I would say he amuses
me.
Sherdog.com: How's
that?
Tank Abbott: I
think he is very funny in his actions.
Sherdog.com: Have
you been keeping up with the sport, watching the UFC or Pride?
Tank Abbott: Sometimes
I will watch them. I mean I watch them, but I have trouble remembering
them.
Sherdog.com: What
do you think of the sport now that they are sanctioned in New
Jersey and they are going to be in Vegas? Do you think the money
will come back?
Tank Abbott: You
never know. But I will tell you one thing, it is getting to the
point where it is so watered down from what it used to be that
I don't think the appeal is there anymore. I can see this thing
turning into another PKA or something like that. Yeah, sure it
is sanctioned, but no one really cares to watch it.
Sherdog.com: Do you mean watered down by the rules?
Tank Abbott: Right.
Sherdog.com: How
about the fighters of today? I am going to ask you about a couple
of them. Randy Couture, Heavyweight Champion of the UFC.
Tank Abbott: I
think he is tough. He is a sport fighter. He is a guy who definitely
has better than average wrestling. He is not great at any one
thing. He is patient and uses what he has.
Sherdog.com: How
about Tito?
Tank Abbott: He
doesn't fight anybody. He basically got a vacated belt. He's
tough, but I think that if the money were there for other fighters,
he would rapidly fall to about 5 or 6 on the ladder in his weight
class. (Click to listen)
Sherdog.com: Have
you seen Sakuraba fight?
Tank Abbott: Yeah.
I think that when he is on, he is, pound for pound, one of the
best there is.
Sherdog.com: How
about Bobby Hoffman, I heard that at the Superbrawl 13 heavyweight
tournament that you guy had a few words. Rumor, or true?
Tank Abbott: I
don't know who he is.
Sherdog.com: He
is a bald guy who supposedly came up to you and said something
about you going to wrestling.
Tank Abbott: I
don't know who he is. I don't even think I was at a Superbrawl.
Sherdog.com: Yeah
you were there. I saw you on the tape. It was in Hawaii.
Tank Abbott: Oh.
I was drunk.
Sherdog.com: You
jumped up in the ring,
Tank Abbott: Yeah,
you gotta have fun. It was probably the most non-boring part
of the show.
Sherdog.com: If
it does come about, is there anyone special you would like to
fight?
Tank Abbott: I don't care about any of those people. I will fight
anybody! There is nobody that I am emotionally involved with.
Nor is it possible that I could get emotionally involved with
those guys.
Sherdog.com: There
are some of the old rumors that I want to clear up. First off,
you and Goes. What was the story behind all of that? Were you
training with him?
Tank Abbott: I
never trained with him. When I found out I was going to be in
this Ultimate Fighting, one day I didn't want to lift weights.
So I said, "Hey, lets go down to this guy's dojo. This guy
teaches jiu-jitsu, because it's supposed to be great." So
when I went down there I had never, literally ever in my life,
never rolled jiu-jitsu at all.
I get into the
studio, and I told him that I wanted to find out if this was
for real. "I wanted to do takedowns with you, and wrestle
with you." Well, his business manger starts saying, "Demonstration,
Demonstration!" He had a deep Portuguese accent.
I had 2 other guys
there. Eddie Ruiz was there and he got tapped out real quick
with an arm thing. Paul Herrera was there. The first time he
went it was like 30 seconds, then like a minute and 30, then
he lasted 3 minutes. So I said, "Ok, it's time for the big
boy I guess."
His buddy went
in the back and gets a video camera. He starts on his knees,
and the first thing he does is fall back to guard. I had a doctors/surgical
shirt on and he grabs it and tries to choke me, but I just roll
my eyes as to say, "Whatever." So he looks at me as
if to say, "Ok, I won't try that."
Then he gets me
in an arm lock, but I stand up and raise my fist like a club.
I was tapping out or anything, like "Do you want me to hit
you in the face?" His eyes got all big and he let go.
The 3rd time we
go, I clear his guard and I get him in a wrestlers headlock and
start chocking him. Then I let go and I belly down. He rolls
out and does some kind of a cross face, and I tap. Ok, I figured
out what this is. Now we have to go to the drawing board and
learn how to fight against this.
It was purely a scientific encounter. It was by no means a wrestling
vs. jiu-jitsu match. Well later he tried to hijack my name by
saying, "Oh, I made that guy tap!" Well, miraculously,
nobody has ever seen that videotape of the incident, because
for some guy who had never done jiu-jitsu before in his life,
I cleared his guard and I can get you in a headlock and other
things. I would be ashamed of that tape.
Then we were at
the Brazil thingy, or Puerto Rico. He comes up screaming in my
ear "You pussy, you pussy!" 'Cause his little bitch
boyfriend, Ismael whatever, Wallid whatever, got the sh-t beat
out of him by Takahara (Takahashi). He got the sh-t knocked out
of him and I was cheering for Takahara the whole time. So he
came over, trying to act like a tough guy. I waited for the fight
to end. He said, "get up and I will kick your ass right
now." I waited until between fights, so he walked back to
his section. When he saw me walk over towards him, he started
f--king backing off. I was like, "where are you going now
you little f--king bitch, what are you doing?" So it turned
into a big mele.
Sherdog.com: So
it was kinda neutral?
Tank Abbott: They
suspended me because I told these f--king people who were working
for them to "f--k off." Like the doctors and all that
sh-t. They were assigning a little more importance to themselves
than they should have. Dealing with the average intelligence
of the fighters that make up the UFC, I can understand why they
were being condescending, to say the least.
Sherdog.com: Ok,
rumor number two. Patrick Smith in an elevator in Denver or Wyoming.
There are ten million different rumors. Was it you, or was it
Paul Herrera.?
Tank Abbott: Paul
Herrera.
Sherdog.com: Paul
did it?
Tank Abbott: Yeah,
Pat Smith had his hands up and wanted to fight. Paul nailed him
with a perfect, straight right. Pat fell to his back. Paul mounted
him and started delivering the spanking he deserved.
Sherdog.com: Have
you always had a thing with Smith? It seems like you always want
to fight him.
Tank Abbott: No,
when I fought in UFC 6, Pat Smith and everyone else was trying
to get me off of my game, because they are stupid. They thought
they were real fighters. They found out that when a real fighter
gets in there that they get scared.
Sherdog.com: How
did you get into the UFC?
Tank Abbott: Well, I was in jail and Kimo fought in it. He said
he was from Huntington Beach. All my friends were saying "This
is made for you, you've gotta do it." I have a persistant
friend who doesn't stop talking. So I said "Go ahead, if
you get me in, I'll fight."
I thought it was
an inside thing only, and I wouldn't make it. At that point in
time, it was. The Gracies owned the show and they wouldn't let
anyone fight. They told me I could fight, but not until UFC 6.
They were going to make an example of me, showing what martial
a artist could do to a street fighter.
That's why they
call me "Tank" - Tank Murdock in Every Which Way But
Loose. Their grand plan was to go to 20/20 and say, "look
at what our martial arts can do to your street fighter."
But it blew up in their faces.
Sherdog.com: They
expected Matua to do that?
Tank Abbott: [laughing]
Yeah, everyone expected him to do that. And who else? The Polar
Bear?
Sherdog.com: Where did "Pit
Fighting" come from? Did they give that to you?
Tank Abbott: It was all about them
trying to make up a show. There was a lot of the show that was
real, and there was a lot that wasn't.
Sherdog.com: There have also been
some rumors about Huntington Beach. I have lived here most of
my life. Some of the rumors are that you and Kimo and all of
those guys would go downtown and get into it pretty often. Is
that true?
Tank Abbott: No. I used to get
into it quite often, but I never went downtown. I don't think
Kimo was ever anything.
Sherdog.com: You and Kimo never
met up?
Tank Abbott: No.
Sherdog.com: You used to hang out
at a club called Night Moves?
Tank Abbott: I think he was a bouncer
there. I'm not sure. People would tell me that I knew who he
was, 'cause he was the bouncer there. He was always like, "Here
Mr. Abbott!" while holding the doors for me. But I never
knew who they were talking about. I've gone to Night Moves. I
have gone all over the place. I meet a lot of people in this
town.
Sherdog.com: How about now? Has
it calmed down a bit?
Tank Abbott: Before, it was a lack
of respect given to me. Now anyone who thinks about fighting
knows who I am, and so I get instantaneous respect.
Sherdog.com: Where do you think
you stand when it comes to street fighters? Do you think you
are the most popular street brawler out there?
Tank Abbott: I would imagine so.
Sherdog.com: In your fight with Paul Varelans, did you just want
to humiliate him? Did you have any bad blood?
Tank Abbott: No, it was the whole
package of the The Ultimate Fighting Challenge being some Martial
Arts fighting experts. These idiots have never had a fight in
their life. They go roll around in a dojo and think that is a
fight. To me, the whole point was absolutely ludicrous.
I saw all these guys, everybody
in there. "Are you kidding me? This isn't fighting, this
is a joke." It was like, "You gotta be f---ing joking
me." These guys are basically con-men, even today. There
are a few good fighters out there fighting in the UFC, some are
wearing belts some are not, but the majority are con-men. They
prey on people who want to be tough, so they pander towards them.
They say, "I'll teach you
this move, I'll teach you this. It will make you tough."
The first thing that makes you a tough fighter is in your head
and in your heart, then your tools. It has nothing to do with
someone teaching you how to be tough. (Click to listen)
Sherdog.com: You commented about
the Oleg fight, "In a real fight in a bar, you wouldn't
be able to lay on your back like a bitch. You might catch a pool
cue to the back of the head."
Tank Abbott: Yeah, I've had a few
put on me.
Sherdog.com: What did you think
of Gracie when you first saw him? What if you would have gotten
a chance to fight that guy?
Tank Abbott: I would absolutely
annihilate him. I would have grabbed him with my left hand on
his gi, and held him up and punched his lights out with my right
hand. He could try to arm lock me all day long, all night long.
He could never do it, and he would be knocked out. I know all
the little jiu-jitsu guys who read your little magazine or internet
site are saying, "Oh, now way, he can't he do that."
Yes, I would.
Sherdog.com: Your fight with Don
Frye was one of the best fights in the UFC. What did you think
of that fight? You hit him with just about everything you had.
Tank Abbott: He got extremely lucky. I got extremely dumb. He
stepped on my foot and I fell back. I said "F--- this, I'll
let him get his hooks in, and I'll f---in' snap his ankles with
an ankle lock." That was a dumb move. I should have just
stood back up and begin to clean his clock again. Hindsight is
20/20, big deal. I still went on to fight, and he went on to
cry.
Sherdog.com: So was he one of the
toughest guys you have fought?
Tank Abbott: No, not even close.
Sherdog.com: Who do you think was
the toughest?
Tank Abbott: Oleg [Taktarov] was
tough. I don't know, Oleg. Everybody is tough. It is just how
much time you put into training.
Sherdog.com: How did you like your
stint as guest commentator for the UFC? Most of the fans loved
it. You definitely had the best one-liners. Did you take pride
in that?
Tank Abbott: It's just me. It's
not real hard to do that when your are surrounded, in my opinion,
a bunch of wannabees. It's a joke. There are actual guys who
think that all they want to do is go fight in the Ultimate Fighting
Championship. They think they will feel whole, or something like
that. That's just absolutely ludicrous. Come on. Is that going
to be your badge of courage, that you walked in there and got
your ass kicked? You know what I mean? It is ludicrous. The lunatics
have taken over the asylum. I mean, these guys want to run around
and pretend that they are martial arts/Bruce Lee gods.
Sherdog.com: That's a good question,
there are always guys on the internet saying that Bruce Lee would
kill everybody.
Tank Abbott: That has to be the
biggest joke I have heard in my life. You know what, how can
you say someone would kill everybody who wouldn't even fight
in competitions? I liken it to when martial artists sit around
and say, "I could kill you. I could rip your heart out."
Have you heard these stories?
Sherdog.com: Yeah.
Tank Abbott: But they say that
they can't do it because it is an oath, some bull--t thing. I
like to say, "I can fly, but I can't do it because it is
a sacred thing that was taught to me. I only use it when I am
in great peril. But trust me, I can fly."
Then you get these idiots that
trained the same thing. You know what I mean, "If you hold
your breath and twirl in a circle, sooner or later, the longer
you do it, you will reach a point where you will leave the ground.
You will be able to fly." You have these idiots that are
training Jeet Kun Do who say, "Oh, the guy who could kill
anybody was Bruce Lee because he was in the movies but wouldn't
fight anyone. I try to train just like him, therefore, since
he is the toughest man in the world and I am training just like
him, I gotta be pretty tough." So if you hold your breath
and spin in circles, someday you will be able to fly. Just like
Tank Abbott did.
Sherdog.com: What do you think
about Brazillian jiu-jitsu now? Do you have any respect for it?
Tank Abbott: Jiu-jitsu is jiu-jitsu.
I guarantee you that I have never been tapped out by a jiu-jitsu
move. It's a wrestling move when I'm tired, like a double grapevine
with a rear naked choke in the back. Actually, when I'm training
I will give people chokes, holds, and triangles, that kind of
stuff, just so I can fight out of it. I have respect for it,
but not by itself.
Sherdog.com: The one time you came
into the Octagon against Hugo Duarte, you looked like you were
in your best shape. What did you do different for that fight?
Tank Abbott: I actually trained.
A lot more roadwork. I used to do cardio in a different manner.
I would run miles for a time, then every other day I would run
an 800, rest for 30 seconds, another 800. Up to 2 miles. I started
doing long roadwork, doing 4 miles. So I had a base.
Sherdog.com: Yeah, you dominated
in there. You put him into a downward spiral because he hasn't
won a fight since.
Tank Abbott: I'll tell you the fight I missed with Big Daddy
Goodridge (UFC 19), if I would have fought in that fight, it
would have been ugly. I was probably in the best shape I have
ever been in for fighting, for anything. I ran a marathon. I
had a lot of base on me. I was 265, running 2 miles in like 14:06.
That's 7:03 back to back. Not one mile, rest, one mile. They
were together. I had great cardio. I was boxing for 20 minutes
straight.
Sherdog.com: So how was the marathon?
Tank Abbott: First time, and the
last time I will ever run a marathon. I only trained three months
for it. The only thing that got me through it was my mental toughness.
I mean you go from running two miles in the beggining for three
months and see how you like it! [laughing]
Sherdog.com: What was your whole
fighting background going into the UFC? I hear you boxed?
Tank Abbott: Yes I boxed as an
amateur, on track to going professional.
Sherdog.com: What happened with
that, why did you quit?
Tank Abbott: Because I'm a ultimate
fighter, and that is my gimmick! I really have some good skills
in boxing. I wouldn't mind, just for fun. How cool would it be
to have a Tank Abbott boxing match at say Irvine? That would
go off, don't you think?
Sherdog.com: Hell yeah! How hard
was it for you to be a pro wrestler?
Tank Abbott: I would have never
been a pro wrestler until after the Ultimate. The Ultimate, at
no fault of their own, could no longer come up with the money.
Sherdog.com: How about during the
wrestling matches, did you ever really have to hold back or accidentally
let one fly?
Tank Abbott: Noooo, it is not intellectually
hard to detach yourself to fighting and not fighting. People
do not understand I have never actually physically fought angrily
before. It's like, if I get into a fight with you, then yes,
you have made me mad. Now I'm going to take you down physically,
someway, somehow. Then, after you get
knocked out, is when I enact my emotional distaste for you.
Sherdog.com: Let's talk about the
rumors that went around about Don "The Dragon" Wilson
wanting to challenge you.
Tank Abbott: Oh, absolutely. I just saw him fighting. Where did
I see him fighting?
Sherdog.com: He made a come back.
Tank Abbott: Against a black guy?
Sherdog.com: Yeah, I think so.
I think that was in Vegas.
Tank Abbott: I think I saw it briefly
before it bored me stiff and I flipped the channel. But I thought,
is that an old fight tape? I don't think much of it. I think
he's pretty much a joke. The only thing is, what would I have
to gain out of fighting him? Nothing.
Sherdog.com: Yeah. I keep hearing
your comment in the back of my mind, that you made during the
time when they asked you what you knew about Hugo Duarte. You
said, "Isn't that the man on the coffee can?"
Tank Abbott: Right.
Sherdog.com: Did that just come
to you naturally?
Tank Abbott: That's just naturally
Tank.
Sherdog.com: A lot of people think
that you are nothing but a thug and a street brawler, but actually,
you are a college graduate.
Tank Abbott: That's correct.
Sherdog.com: Iowa State?
Tank Abbott: I got my degree in
Karate 101 [laughing]. I'm a history major.
Sherdog.com: How hard was it for
you to stay in school? Did you like school? Did you wrestle there?
Tank Abbott: No they dropped the
program there, or I would have. The coach was actively recruiting
me, but then they dropped the program the next year.
Sherdog.com: And you went to Marina
high school?
Tank Abbott: Yes I did.
Sherdog.com: Also there was kind
of like a little gang there, not the kind they have now, but
you, Tito, and Eddy. Do all you guys still get along or was there
some kind of falling out?
Tank Abbott: Well, we get along
in life, but there was never a little gang. They were all mostly
cling-on guys. The only person I really hung out with was Eddy,
and Paul now and then. There was nothing more than wrestling
now and then. I never really hung out with those guys.
Sherdog.com: Were you there when
Paul [Herrara] fought [in UFC 8]?
Tank Abbott: Yes, I was there.
Sherdog.com: What did you think
of that? I heard that you were trying to run back to Gary Goodridge's
dressing room.
Tank Abbott: No, no, no.
Sherdog.com: No? Well you know
how these rumors are.
Tank Abbott: I watched the fight,
I felt bad for him.
Sherdog.com: Were you yelling at
him to get up and walk out?
Tank Abbott: No, that was later.
They put him in an ambulance, and I told him to get out of the
ambulance. They wanted him and Ferrozo and all of them. They
were all in the back of the ambulance crying like little girls.
Sherdog.com: That's another thing,
the fight with Ferrozo. You had a bad knee?
Tank Abbott: Yep, I needed knee surgery. I couldn't run, and
I was to fight Mark Coleman who was weighting a whole whopping
220 lbs. And then I was supposed to fight Shamrock's guy, Bohlander,
then he (Shamrock) pulled him out. I would have decapitated him.
And then there was a boxer who weighed 240 lbs. So strategically
I just get as big as I possible can. I can't run, and I've got
to fight, so I got thrown a monkey wrench when they get a 350
lb guy that can run, that's been jogging and running and has
"Eye of the Tiger" clothing. He still couldn't do anything,
he's the one who went to the hospital, not me. And he was basically
was fighting a lame duck.
Sherdog.com: So there was no thought
in your mind or question of your pulling out?
Tank Abbott: No.
Sherdog.com: That happens all the
time.
Tank Abbott: That's why no one
fights in tournaments any more. No one fights anything any more.
There's a few tough fighters who fight regularly in Ultimate
Fighting. The rest are jokes.
Sherdog.com: What do you think
is going to be the difference in the fighters when they start
bringing money back in? Do you think it will be better competition,
or more watered down?
Tank Abbott: I think it will be
better if the money comes back. Bottom line is that the people
who fight in the Ultimate don't have any alternatives. The answer
to the question is yes, if the money goes back into the Ultimate,
it will go back up.
Sherdog.com: It doesn't matter
to you right? You just want to fight. You have money now, right?
Tank Abbott: Umm, I've invested
well, I'm basically retired if I choose to be. I don't need to
work, but I love to fight. And if the money is right, then I
will go there. This is my living and this is where I am going,
and I'm not going to cheapen myself. Basically, that's where
it is. The bottom line is that I put more asses in the seats
than anyone else in the fight game right now.
Sherdog.com: Yeah, definitely.
Tank Abbott: You know, I'll wrestle, I'll go where the money
is, but I don't need the money.
Sherdog.com: Has there been any
kind of organization to contact you, or do they know you under
contract so they aren't even bothering?
Tank Abbott: There are people that
I talk to that keep in touch with me. We'll see what happens
on Friday [UFC 32].
Sherdog.com: Are you a guest, or
are you just going?
Tank Abbott: I'm just going.
Source: Sherdog's Website |
Quote
of the Day
"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative,
a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger."
Franklin Jones |
Vitor
to Fight Ortiz in UFC
It has been reported that Vitor Belfort has signed to fight UFC
Light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz. Belfort is supposed to
have signed a long term deal with the UFC, which should make
the division very interesting. Belfort has only one loss in the
UFC against Heavyweight Champ, Randy Couture and used his boxing
skills to win most of his fights. In Pride, he turned to a ground
and pound style. Who knows what he will bring to the new UFC.
The
Brazilian Top Team which includes Murilo Bustamante, Mario Sperry,
Ricardo Liborio, Vitor Belfort, Alan Goes, Carlao Barreto, among
other ex-Carlson Gracie students is said to be splitting. Belfort,
Goes, Arona, and Barreto was reported on the FCF site to be breaking
off and making a new team. As Bustamante stated, there are no
formal contracts or agreements with the members so they are free
to leave at any time. The Top Team was probably the best group
of heavyweights in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that participate in NHB
events. |
Kikaida
in Hawaii
For all of you that were old enough to remember Kikaida, the
actor who played Jiro / Kikaida, Mr. Daisuke Ban, will be making
an appearance here in Hawaii at Neil Blaisdell Arena on Friday,
July 20th at 7:00 pm and Saturday, July 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00
pm.
I don't remember any story lines, but I know that we had some
Kikaida action figures (action figure = boy dolls, heh heh) and
one is probably still buried in our front yard. I didn't find
out until years later that Kikaida was all in Japanese, but I
remember understanding every word. |
Quote
of the Day
Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith,
and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer
in achievement and experience.
Eddie Rickenbacker, 1890-1973, American Aviator, World War I
Ace |
Super
Brawl Press Conference
|
Marcelo Tiger, Cabbage Cabrerra, Egan Inoue |
Tiger and Cabbage face off. |
The press conference went as planned. Thanks to slow car repair
service, I arrived a bit late, but since there is a Brazilian
in the show, I had a lot of time before it began (heh heh). Basically,
the press conference was to let Marcelo Tiger, Wesley "Cabbbage"
Cabrerra, and Egan Inoue speak their mind and build the fight.
Both Cabbage and Egan were pretty quiet with their comments,
but Marcelo had a lot to say.
All three fighters sat at a table and promoter T. Jay Thompson
brought a film crew to video the press conference and I asked
questions prepared by T. Jay and myself to all three fighters.
Egan admitted that he did not know much about his opponent, Brett
Al-Azzawi, but his style of mixing up the stand up and ground
would remain the same. Basically, Egan and Cabbage stated that
they will let their fighting speak for themselves in the ring,
while Marcelo explained that he lives a fighter's life and fights
for pride, for his students to be proud of him, and for survival.
Tiger stated that he is ready to fight any day, at any time.
One interesting thng to note was that Tiger stated that when
he gets hit, it wakes him up and gets him more in tune with the
fight. From the fights that I have seen of Marcelo's, I have
to agree and add that in order to get 100% out of Tiger, you
have to give him a couple good shots. He also stated that the
last time when he first faced Inoue, he was all alone with no
team, physically sick, and did not know how to prepare properly.
At that time, Marcelo's motto was, "No train, Fight!"
Marcelo now has a personal trainer that has been working to increase
his cardio and flexibility. He has brought in professsional boxers
to increase his punching power. After the interview, Tiger was
boiling and he told T. Jay and myself that he wants to fight
right now and I could see in his eyes that he was not just talking
trash. He said that he is going to take his students back to
his school and "work off" some energy.
I don't think we will see a more refined technical bobbing and
weaving Tiger, but one that has more power and the same balls
to stay in range to cause some serious damage. Cabbage has the
size and physical toughness to stand there with Tiger so if both
fighters keep the fight standing, there should be some major
leather flying and some very hard hits. |
Royler
Not Competing in the Worlds
Four-Time Black Belt World Champion, Royler Gracie will not be
competing this year in the Mundials. He has stated that the sponsers
have not provided enough backing in order for him to lose his
income from teaching and just train. This comes to no real shock
because it would probably be money or his age. Royler is probably
the only black belt that has competed for three decades. He is
always on top and never ran from a fight even against the new
young guns in his division. He could have easily retired from
BJJ competition at any time and no one could say anything. He
beat Shaolin when Shaolin was the top up and comer. Most competitors
his age have long since move from the regular adult division
to the masters. He has not officially retired from BJJ competition,
but would probably need some major financial backing in order
to put in back in a competition gi. He still plans to compete
in the Abu Dhabi because of the cash rewards for a win.
Source: Abu Dhabi
News Page |
Quote
of the Day
Don't let other people tell you what you want.
Pat Riley, 1945, American Basketball Coach |
Super
Brawl Press Conference Today
24 Hour Fitness
1680 Kapiolani Blvd.
Monday, July 16, 2001
10:00 AM |
Fredson
Leaves Tonight
Royler Gracie black belt, Fredson Alves, leaves tonight back
to Brazil. He is supposed to clear his work visa and return to
Columbus, Ohio to open a Relson Gracie school there or at least
re-vamp the existing school there. He is supposed to come tonight
to the academy. Relson's plan is to rotate Fredson and Daniel
so that both of them can return to Hawaii and keep us updated
on the latest techniques. |
As
the Super Brawl Turns
Sure, promoters have the life. They lay on the beach all day,
hit the gym for a light workout (in some cases, they should hit
the gym), train with all the best fighters because these fighters
want to get on the card, etc. The days and weeks leading up to
a big event makes them work their butt off if they want to put
on a quality card. Enter T. Jay Thompson, promoter of Super Brawl
and probably fits the above description, except he could probably
work a little more on his tan (heh heh, I'm half haole, I can
say that, right?). I'm not sure if he wants me to post all this
info, but it should give all you fans what the promoter goes
through before an event. So, when a match is boring and you are
thinking of booing or talking trash, remember what happened behind
the scenes to put the entire card together...
Here's a little piece authored by T. Jay that I like to call
"Ode to a Fight Card."
Where should
we start? Chronologically:
Draculino pulls
out due to injury-Search is on for new opponent for Yoshida
Abe Rodrigues
injured in training-Search for opponent for Lemley
Jay R. Palmer
in "legal trouble." Have Yeung fight Lemley (phew!)
Looks like Genki
Suda for Charuto! Oops-Suda in final negotiations with UFC…no
go. Offer C.J. Fernandez for Charuto-His management accepts!!
Charuto calls the next day to inform me he has new job on Big
Island and cannot train properly.
Baret injures
neck in Shooto bout. Card not looking good!
Need to replace
this fight with two quality opponents.
Ronald Jhun
has IFC fight on the 18th canceled!-Quick….call Ronald!
Jhun comes through..when asked what kind of opponent he replies
"the best you can find!" Contact managing legend Monte
Cox-recommends 18-2 Dave Strasser. Both fighters agree!
Marcelo’s
student scheduled to fight Egan runs into "complications"
and will not fight! Quick, call Monte! Solution (10-9) journeyman
Brett Al-Azzawi.
Niko Vitale
comes into Grappling Unlimited after a few well deserved weeks
off-get’s ribbed for said time off - then asks if it would
be possible to get on the card? What was suppose to say, no?
Call Monte Cox back up….Ask if he knows any quality opponents
crazy enough to fight Niko on short notice
…the answer is (32-21) Iowan, Dennis Reed. Maybe I should
just charter a jet?
Phew….I
think we are done!………….
Hey! Jay R.
becomes "available" again and is in need of a fight!….SPG
gold medalist, Melchor Manabusen steps to the plate to make his
long awaited NHB debut!
The End…….(ya,
sure!)
For
all of you that are lost (me included), here's the updated fight
card.
Super Brawl
5th Anniversary
1. David Yeung 150lbs 5'7" 150 lbs
(Muay Thai) 0-1
vs
Gabe Lemley 5'10" 145 lbs
(Team Extreme) 2-2
2. Melchor Manabusen 150 lbs.
(Enson Inoue's Pure Bred, Guam) 0-0
vs
Jay R. Palmer 150 lbs.
(Universal Rough House) 21-10
3. Iwi Kohanu 135 lbs
(Nova Uniao, Big Island) 0-0
vs
Lincoln Tyler 5'6" 135 lbs
(Freelance) 3-1
4.
Rick Graveson 5'10' 199 lbs
(Team Extreme) 21-11
vs
Paul Ano 5'10" 200 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 0-0
5.
Kim Morishita 150 lbs
(Maui) 2-0
vs
Gary Frietas 5'7" 150 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 2-1-1
6.
Ben Earwood 176 lbs
(Team Extreme) 19-2
vs
John Crisostomo 5'7" 176 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 7-5
7.
Dennis Reed 195 lbs
(Team Extreme) 32-21
vs
Niko Vitale 195 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 7-1
8. Ronald "The Machine Gun" Jhun 180 lbs
(Jesus is Lord) 20-5
vs
Dave Strasser 180 lbs
(Team Extreme) 17-2
9.
Cabbage Caberra 6'3" 270 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 4-2
vs
Marcelo Tiger 5'11" 205 lbs
(Team Tiger) 33-1
10. Brett Al-Azzawi 185 lbs
(Team Extreme) 10-9
vs
Egan Inoue 190 lbs
(Grappling Unlimited) 6-2
Some very interesting additions to the card. Let's start from
the top. Melchor is a killer wrestler who can represent Guam
in the Olympics in both Freestyle or Greco Roman wrestling. In
addition to his wrestling, you may remember his name as being
the fourth place competitor in last year's Abu Dhabi Submission
Wrestling World Champions. Last, but not least, he was Enson
Inoue's traveling and training partner for quite a while. For
some of you that don't know Enson, if you are a training partner
of his, you better be extremely tough and be able to take an
excessive amount of punishment. Melchor is going to make waves
in this division.
Dave Strasser is very well known in the mid-west as a top notch
fighter. Ron Jhun has been making incredible jumps in his performance
both in the standing and ground games. This may be the fight
of the night.
Brett Al-Azzawi is
much more experienced than Egan's last opponent and with his
experience, will hopefully make this fight interesting. Egan
should still probably kill him, but you can never really predict
fights. By the way, if you missed this post, you should be checking
the page multiple times a day, telling all your friends about
this page, and having sponsors contact us about advertising space.
Is that so wrong? |
Brazilian
Band!
My Brazilian Portuguese teacher and great vocalist, Sandy Tsukiyama
de Oliveira, is playing this weekend. If you haven't heard Brazilian
music, you have to check this out. Killer grooves with lively
music and vocals. It doesn't cost anything to attend this show,
but donations are encouraged. Usually, people give $10 per head
donation which is not bad for a 50 person venue. You are up close
to the band in a very interesting set up. The place is actually
a person's house were they converted the attic to a studio/concert
hall.
Who:
Mistura Brazilian Jazz Band
Guitar
- Shawn Ishimoto
Piano - Michael Boe
Bass - Beto Beserra
Sax, Flute-Aaron Aranita
Drums-Roger Araujo
Percussion-Carlinhos
Vocals-Sandy Tsukiyama (a.k.a. de Oliveira)
What:
The only gig of the summer since Beto's &
my (Sandy's) vacations will end soon.
When:
Sunday, July 29, 3-6 p.m.
Where:
Ward's Rafters-3810 Maunaloa Ave.,
On the Kahala side of the Kaimuki hill, mauka of KCC. The block
is between 15th & 16th, Kaimuki & Kilauea Avenues. Look
for the green, "Wards' Rafters" street sign in the
driveway, go up the outside stairs. That will take you to the
attic. That's it. Slip your donation in at the door.
Get there by getting off the Koko Head Ave. exit if coming from
town
side. Turn left onto Pahoa Ave. & right on 15th.
If coming from E. of Kahala, get off at Waialae Ave. Turn left
on 16th
Ave.
Refreshments
available, but BYOB/& outside food welcome.
Call
Jackie Ward #734-0397 or me #988-3169, for more
detailed directions.
Please
help spread the word even if you can't join us that day.
|