jkdberlin
25-11-2003, 09:07
PRIDE, K-1 SET SIGHTS ON 'TANK' ABBOTT
A report from Shimura Funaki in Tokyo
News that Tank Abbott is once again a free agent has reached the land of the rising sun. Industry sources here in Japan have told us that both Pride and K-1 are eager to talk to Abbott in an effort to secure his services before the other one. Pride feel that Abbott would compliment their plans to crack the American market and are already talking of matching him against long time Pride gatekeeper Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge, a fight that was scheduled for UFC18 but never eventuated. Other names bandied around as an opponent for Abbott have been Igor Vovchanchin, Kazushi Sakuraba and Vanderlei Silva.
In line with their policy of signing well known and controversial fighters from various combat sports, K-1 have expressed great interest in signing Abbott. Potential match ups include a rematch with Kimo under K-1 rules and a K-1 match against Bob Sapp.
The possibility of a Tank vs Tyson match is not off the cards either, Tank has often said he would destroy Mike Tyson in an MMA fight. K-1 might well give him the chance to prove this.
K-1 have publicly expressed their intention to incorporate MMA fights into their shows and are currently looking to build a stable of fighters. In fact the real reason that former Sumo champion Akebono has been signed is because K-1 plan on having him participate in some MMA fights.
When Fightsport.com telephoned Tank Abbott today he was not available. The gentleman we did speak to said that Tank was having a couple of weeks off from training. He could not confirm whether or not Tank has been contacted by either Pride or K-1 yet.
Quelle: Fightsport 24-7
Grüsse
A report from Shimura Funaki in Tokyo
News that Tank Abbott is once again a free agent has reached the land of the rising sun. Industry sources here in Japan have told us that both Pride and K-1 are eager to talk to Abbott in an effort to secure his services before the other one. Pride feel that Abbott would compliment their plans to crack the American market and are already talking of matching him against long time Pride gatekeeper Gary 'Big Daddy' Goodridge, a fight that was scheduled for UFC18 but never eventuated. Other names bandied around as an opponent for Abbott have been Igor Vovchanchin, Kazushi Sakuraba and Vanderlei Silva.
In line with their policy of signing well known and controversial fighters from various combat sports, K-1 have expressed great interest in signing Abbott. Potential match ups include a rematch with Kimo under K-1 rules and a K-1 match against Bob Sapp.
The possibility of a Tank vs Tyson match is not off the cards either, Tank has often said he would destroy Mike Tyson in an MMA fight. K-1 might well give him the chance to prove this.
K-1 have publicly expressed their intention to incorporate MMA fights into their shows and are currently looking to build a stable of fighters. In fact the real reason that former Sumo champion Akebono has been signed is because K-1 plan on having him participate in some MMA fights.
When Fightsport.com telephoned Tank Abbott today he was not available. The gentleman we did speak to said that Tank was having a couple of weeks off from training. He could not confirm whether or not Tank has been contacted by either Pride or K-1 yet.
Quelle: Fightsport 24-7
Grüsse