Tank Abbott: "(Kimbo) should have gotten a real fighter to train him."

jlruthven84 · 02-15-2008, 10:02 AM

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MIAMI, Fla. — In preparation of Saturday’s real thing, David “Tank” Abbott (9-13) and Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson (1-0) continued the verbal jousting at Thursday’s “EliteXC” press conference.

The two fighters and other competitors taking part in the 11-bout “Street Certified” card, set for the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center, filled Bernie Kosar’s Steakhouse in Miami.

While the bout has resulted in widespread publicity — including spots on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for both fighters — neither heavyweight is considered elite-level talent. Slice has just one professional MMA victory to his name; Abbott, an early UFC fighter with an unusually big fan following, has claimed victory in just one fight during the past decade.

Slice, who rose to prominence on YouTube as underground bare-knuckle fighter, eventually decided to try his luck in the cage. MMA legend Bas Rutten took the former bodyguard under his wing, and EliteXC inked the big-bearded brawler to a multi-year contract.

However, even though his opponent has gone legit, don’t color Abbott impressed.

“I think it’s funny that he’s got Bas Rutten to train him; this is a real fight and not a slap-fest,” Abbott said of the submission specialist. “He should have gotten a real fighter to train him. Training with Bas is better than nothing, but you either have it or you don’t.“

Most would argue that Rutten does, in fact, have it. The former fighter and current color commentator is a former UFC heavyweight champ and a three-time King of Pancrase. He last fought at a July 2006 WFA event, where he posted a first-round TKO of Ruben Villareal. In his past 22 fights, Rutten is 21-0-1.

Regardless, though, Slice vowed to redeem his name.

“Bas is a mentor of mine, and anything Tank has to say about him, I’m going to take it personal,” Slice said. “He has a big mouth. He needs to watch what he says… I’m going to make him pay for his words.“

While the jabs can only make EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw smirk over his well-orchestrated feud, not everyone is impressed.

Ricco Rodriguez (27-7), the former UFC heavyweight champion who fights Antonio Silva (9-1) in EliteXC’s co-main event, isn’t pleased that he’s taking second billing to what he perceives to be more spectacle than sport.

“Six months from now, Antonio and I will be fighting again — probably for the (heavyweight) title,” Rodriguez said. “We are the two best fighters in this organization right now. Tank and Kimbo are just tomato cans. We are the two real fighters (on this card)… We’re carrying this event.“

MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) will be on hand for today’s weigh-ins and will have results and photos posted later this evening. Live results and round-by-round summaries will also be posted during tomorrow’s event.

The preliminary card for “EliteXC: Street Certified” airs live on ProElite.com beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The main card airs on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
(Bryan Siemen contributed to this report)

Source:UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com

Not implying that Kimbo is gonna beat Tank, but that was a pretty stupid comment. I mean really...who's Tank been training with? The Jack Daniels Camp?

TravelinMonty · 02-15-2008, 10:05 AM

I usually like to listen to Tank's rhetoric but this is stupid

Brutus · 02-15-2008, 10:11 AM

It's not Tank's fault, he was probably drunk. Bas actually may come out of retirement for one last fight based on the look on his face as Tank was speaking on HDFights the other day. I thought he was gonna jump the desk and throw a liver kick right there.

jlruthven84 · 02-15-2008, 10:13 AM

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Originally Posted by Hunchbacked Lemur

It's not Tank's fault, he was probably drunk. Bas actually may come out of retirement for one last fight based on the look on his face as Tank was speaking on HDFights the other day. I thought he was gonna jump the desk and throw a liver kick right there.

Bas does seem to have some sort of vendetta against livers, doesn't he?

His knees are shot, but a quadripalegic Bas beats Tank anyday.