Editing Tank Abbott (section)

===Return (2003–2013)===
After his stint in professional wrestling, Abbott returned to mixed martial arts in 2003.

Abbott's return fight was on February 23, 2003, at [[UFC 41]], against [[Frank Mir]]. He lost his return bout via toe hold submission less than a minute into round one.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frank Mir vs David Abbott Fight Result |url=https://www.mma-core.com/fights/Frank_Mir_vs_David_Abbott/1010155 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728194506/https://www.mma-core.com/fights/Frank_Mir_vs_David_Abbott/1010155 |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |access-date=2021-07-28 |website=www.mma-core.com |language=en}}</ref>

His next fight would be against fellow UFC veteran, [[Kimo Leopoldo]] at [[UFC 43]]. Abbott was taken down seconds into the fight, and was submitted via [[arm-triangle choke]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=2003 UFC Fight Results - UFC 43: Meltdown|url=https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/results?season=2003&id=227|access-date=2021-07-28|website=www.foxsports.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

Abbott then faced [[Wesley Correira|Wesley "Cabbage" Correira]] at [[UFC 45]]. After a back-and-forth brawl, Abbott lost the fight via TKO after the ringside doctor determined he was unable to continue after suffering a cut over his right eye. Abbott and his corner got into a minor brawl with Correira's team after being angered by Correira's taunting when being declared the winner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-04-02 |title=UFC 45 Results – Who Won at Revolution |url=https://www.mmascene.com/ufc/results/ufc-45-results-who-won-at-revolution/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526064456/https://www.mmascene.com/ufc/results/ufc-45-results-who-won-at-revolution/ |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=2021-07-28 |website=MMA Scene |language=en-US}}</ref> Abbott was released from the UFC afterwards.

Abbott later had a rematch with Correira, at Rumble on the Rock 7.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 May 2005 |title=Rumble on the Rock 7: Cabbage vs. Tank II |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Rumble-on-the-Rock-7-Cabbage-vs-Tank-II-2791 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012215415/https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/1/Rumble-on-the-Rock-7-Cabbage-vs-Tank-II-2791 |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=sherdog.com}}</ref> Abbott secured his first victory since his return, knocking Correira out with a hard right hand in the first round, becoming the first person to knock Correira out.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Scott |date=5 July 2007 |title=MMA Review: #136: Rumble On The Rock 7 |url=http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-233/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223091100/http://the-oratory.com/mma-review-233/ |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=The Oratory}}</ref>

Abbott's next fight was on August 28, 2005, against highly decorated [[judo]]ka [[Hidehiko Yoshida]] at [[2005 in Pride FC#Pride FC: Final Conflict 2005|Pride Final Conflict 2005]]. Abbott lost via single wing choke submission in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pride Final Conflict 2005 &#124; MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/pride-final-conflict-2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205041329/https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/pride-final-conflict-2005 |archive-date=February 5, 2023 |website=Tapology}}</ref>

Abbott's next fight was against [[Paul Buentello]], headlining [[Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello]] on October 7, 2006. Abbott lost via knockout 43 seconds into the fight.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stats &#124; UFC |url=http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/62de80851ebcc85a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323003114/http://ufcstats.com/fight-details/62de80851ebcc85a |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |website=UFC Stats}}</ref>

Abbott then fought [[Gary Turner (fighter)|Gary Turner]] at the main event of [[2007 in Cage Rage Championships#Cage Rage 21|Cage Rage 21]] on April 21, 2007. Abbott lost via TKO after a barrage of punches from Turner early in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cage Rage 21 - Judgement Day |url=https://www.sherdog.com/events/Cage-Rage-21-Judgement-Day-4874 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815235550/https://www.sherdog.com/events/Cage-Rage-21-Judgement-Day-4874 |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |website=Sherdog}}</ref>

Abbott's last high-profile fight was against [[Kimbo Slice]] in the main event of [[EliteXC: Street Certified]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woods |first1=Michael |date=31 January 2008 |title=Abbott: Slice 'doesn't have the skills to hang' |url=https://www.espn.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3224584 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601121019/https://www.espn.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3224584 |archive-date=June 1, 2022 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=espn.com}}</ref> Abbott was knocked down early, but the fight was restarted after Kimbo landed shots to the back of Abbott's head. Abbott would lose the bout via knockout seconds later.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Arrighi |first1=Nic |date=22 March 2016 |title=Throwback: Kimbo Slice vs Tank Abbott – ends in quick KO |url=https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma/throwback-kimbo-slice-vs-tank-abbott-ends-quick-ko/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223075547/https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma/throwback-kimbo-slice-vs-tank-abbott-ends-quick-ko/ |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=mixedmartialarts.com}}</ref>

His next fight was against former [[Pride Fighting Championships|PRIDE]] veteran Mike Bourke on February 13, 2009, at the [[Selland Arena]] in [[Fresno|Fresno, California]], as part of the Valentine's Eve Massacre Event. Abbott  knocked out Bourke with a punch that inadvertently landed to the back of Bourke's head, securing a victory for the first time in nearly four years.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 February 2009 |title=Ken Shamrock Beats Ross Clifton, Tank Abbott Beats Mike Bourke |url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/fanho-ken-shamrock-beats-ross-clifton-tank-abbott-beats-mike-bourke/1886930/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526063206/https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/fanho-ken-shamrock-beats-ross-clifton-tank-abbott-beats-mike-bourke/1886930/ |archive-date=May 26, 2022 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=NBC DFW}}</ref>

In 2011 Abbott participated in an unsanctioned "backyard brawl" against [[Scott Ferrozzo]], whom he previously fought at [[UFC 11]].<ref>{{cite web |date=26 October 2011 |title=Tank Abbott i Scott Ferrozzo u borbi bez pravila? |url=https://www.profightstore.hr/portal/slobodna%20borba/tank-abbott-i-scott-ferrozzo-u-borbi-bez-pravila-/8220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223075548/https://www.profightstore.hr/portal/slobodna%20borba/tank-abbott-i-scott-ferrozzo-u-borbi-bez-pravila-/8220 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=profightstore.hr}}</ref> Abbott knocked down Ferrozzo early with a punch, before taking his back and holding dominant position for over 15 minutes, occasionally landing punches. He was declared the winner via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Petrak |first1=Marko |date=31 October 2011 |title=Abbott i Ferrozzo se na koncu ipak potukli! |url=https://arhiva.fightsite.hr/rubrike/ostale-vijesti/abbott-i-ferrozzo-se-na-koncu-ipak-potukli/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223075549/https://arhiva.fightsite.hr/rubrike/ostale-vijesti/abbott-i-ferrozzo-se-na-koncu-ipak-potukli/ |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=arhiva.fightsite.hr}}</ref> Bouncing back with a win following his loss to Slice, At [[List of KOTC events|King of the Cage: Fighting Legends]], on April 13, 2013,<ref>{{cite web |last1=MMA Junkie Staff |date=25 February 2013 |title=David 'Tank' Abbott returns to MMA, meets Ruben Villareal in April |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2013/02/david-tank-abbott-returns-to-mma-meets-ruben-villareal-in-april |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529090206/https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2013/02/david-tank-abbott-returns-to-mma-meets-ruben-villareal-in-april |archive-date=May 29, 2022 |access-date=23 December 2021 |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com}}</ref> Abbott fought for the Superfight Champion ship. He was defeated by longtime veteran Ruben "Warpath" Villareal by way of a 2nd-round TKO.

Abbott was expected to face fellow MMA veteran [[Dan Severn]] for the upstart UR Fight promotion on March 20, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UR Fight |url=https://www.urshow.tv/Events/UR%20Fight |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121085718/https://www.urshow.tv/events |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=March 17, 2016 |website=UR Fight |publisher=URshow.tv}}</ref> The contest was cancelled the day prior to the event as Abbott could not pass the required medical tests per the Arizona Fight Commission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tank Abbott fails physical, Dan Severn needs new opponent on March 20th |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/3/17/11255038/tank-abbott-fails-physical-dan-severn-needs-new-opponent-march-20th-mma-news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129023237/https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/3/17/11255038/tank-abbott-fails-physical-dan-severn-needs-new-opponent-march-20th-mma-news |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=April 7, 2016 |website=Bloody Elbow}}</ref>