I met Tank Abbot yesterday

[Mako]

While waiting for my flight to leave John Wayne/Orange County airport, I pass a "News-Gifts" store and a guy catches my attention, I think to myself "Hey, that guy kind of looks like Tank Abbot."

I then realize that he's from Huntington Beach, so it could be him... I circle back and now he's standing in line waiting to pay for his newspaper. I start to walk up just to say Hi, and I notice he seems really quiet. I said "Tank? Good to meet you" kind of thing. He talked really low, like he didn't want to be noticed. He said something like "Hey brother, nice to meet you".

He walked out and sat near a gate by himself, kind of in the corner, reading the paper. He seemed like he didn't want to be bugged, so I just left him alone. Only 1 other person recognized him. A bartender who yelled, Hey Tank! as he walked by. He seemed like a really nice guy, but I didn't want to push it. For all the swaggar you see in his fights, on the street he seemed like a regular guy.
He is freaking huge though. I can't imagine that guy poudning on you. YIKES!

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

I bet if you offered him a drink he would of been friendly!

[Zhoozhitsu]

Couple of suspect statements:

Originally posted by Mako

I then realize that he's from Huntington Beach

How did you realize that w/out asking him? Was he carrying a surfboard and smoking marijuana?

, so it could be him... I circle back and now he's standing in line waiting to pay for his newspaper.

Newspaper? I thought Tank couldn't read & write.

[duchman]

heelhook him!! JK

Most fighters are nice guys!

[Mickey Finn]

F*ck! Zhoo beat me to the reading a newspaper crack.

[EJ]

Mako sed:

"I then realize that he's from Huntington Beach, so it could be him"

Lemme break it down for you Doodie:

Mako "sed":

"Tank is from HB... we are in Newport Beach / Irvine... Newport Beach / Irvine is close to HB.... Sooooo, There is a good chance that is Tank!!!!!!"

[GinSueDog]

Hmmm...Gotta go with EJ on this one...

I think it could be true, John Wayne airport is in Newport Beach, which is just down the freeway from Huntington. It is also the holidays so maybe family is coming in and he was there to pick them up or to go visit them for the holidays. As for the fact Tank can't read, maybe he has learned since then or was BS about that. I just don't see the reason for being untruthful at this point.-ED

[Karlinhos]

"I then realize that he's from Huntington Beach, so it could be him"

Zhoo... LMFAO... i was thinking the same thing... he just knew that from looking at him?!?!?!

I've seen a couple of guys that looked like Tank... big, thick goatee and all, but then it wasn't in the OC area... so it COULDN'T have been him. (lol)

[Lacrymosa]

Is it true, then? Can he read or not?

I think when Don "The Dragon" Wilson was interviewing Tank during UFC VII (months after his loss to Taktarev), Tank mentioned something about attending a "state college".

MAD Magazine, however, did a spoof on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which featured a picture of Tank Abbott "pretending" that he can read the latest issue of MAD. I was under the impression that the MAD people were joking, but I'm starting to hear more and more about the idea that Tank is illiterate.

Fact or fiction?

[GinSueDog]

I think Mako was saying, that then he remembered that Tank was from Huntington Beach which is just next door to Newport Beach where JW Airport is located. Makes sense to me.-ED

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

He has a History Degree from college.

[Mickey Finn]

OK, Tank picking up family at the airport. I wonder what Tank’s mom looks like? I mean is she a BIG woman? Maybe he has a sister? Think of Tank with a set of double D’s minus the goatee (hopefully).

[YeLLa-TiGeR]

And he basically said in an interview that his mother and father can suck his **** for all he cares. He doesnt like them and he does his own thing without them. Who knows what its like now.

[GinSueDog]

You know, Tank looks just like the door man at Hurricanes in Huntington Beach. Hmmmm...interesting...mmm.-ED

[dan downard]

Jeeze,you guys will argue about anything.