But the sport is so evolved! 
I remember when we used to laugh at the idea of a one dimensional fighter that sucked everywhere else winning a title. Nevermind keeping it. Now we call guys like that “GOATS”.
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“Summarized”
I think Joe is mainly just pointing out how weak the UFC heavyweight division is right now. I hope Gable Stevenson and some other freaks are out there training hard and ready to take over the HW division over the next year or two. This HW division reminds me of the weak HW division in 2008. Randy was a great LHW champ but I always thought it was weird to see him as HW champ, then Lesnar comes onto the scene and in one of his first interviews commented the UFC is starving for a new heavyweight.
Lesnar’s timing into the HW division was perfect. This is also a great time for a new heavyweight to burst on the scene.
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This is a Lesnar interview many years after 2008 but clearly symbolizes what UFC HW division needs……a dude that will challenge everyone and then smash Rogan’s hand on the camera
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Prime tank would be .500 today. Same as he was then.
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Would be awesome, wouldn’t it?
Prime Tank vs.
- Junior “Baby” Albini
- Tai Tuivasa
- James Toney
- Francis Ngannou
I know I wouldn’t mind watching
He beat Duarte who was a pretty damn good fighter. - came very close to beating Frye as well .. no one is saying prime Tank beats Gane or Aspinal - we are saying he could beat a few hvwts that are ranked around 15-20..
It’s hard for me to believe Tuivasa has pro boxing experience - his boxing is very meh .. he hits hard and can take a beating - those are his shining attributes
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And this is about as funny as most of his material
The Tank in his first UFC tournament was in shape and had a gas tank as evident by his fight against Taktarov. He was also in very good shape against the vaunted Hugo Duarte. That version of Tank would absolutely do well against most heavyweights today. Not the few top tier but most others. Derrick Lewis has a very similar skill set as Tank did and has done well.
Tanks best wins are Duarte and the rematch with Cabbage.
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Of course Joe is delusional here ha ha. But that close range shot against Nelmark is still the most impactful punch I’ve seen. Dude’s head went flying before he recoiled into a KOed heap. Crazy power. When I saw it back then, I thought Nelmark was dead.
Yep.
The Matua and Nelmark KOs will forever be highlights.
I’ve said this here before…
I think that early UFC era – with it’s colorful cast of characters – needed a Tank Abbot type.
It needed the big dangerous brawler type, needed him to brutally run through some guys, and ultimately needed him to lose to the top guys.
It was a good lesson in the levels of things.
If I was writing a movie, a Tank Abbot character would be included.
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See kids - weed DOES cause brain damage.
Legendary.
first mma villain ever
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Yeah it was a very bad look. I don’t think Nelmark fought after that and I don’t blame him