Sherdog’s Top 10: Post-Fight Interviews and Moments

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7. No Mercy

David “Tank” Abbott vs. John Matua
UFC 6 “Clash of the Titans”
July 14, 1995 | Casper Events Center, Casper, Wyo.

As part of a one night, eight-man tournament with no weight classes and no set rounds -- instead, each bout had a time limit -- Abbott came out swinging against the 400-pound Matua.

“Tank” immediately hurt his opponent with a shot behind the ear and continued to land haymakers as Matua stumbled around the cage and tried to fend off the attack. A decisive blow sent Matua’s head bouncing off the canvas and left him stiff and twitching on the ground. Not satisfied, Abbott pounced for one last -- and unnecessary -- follow-up punch before referee John McCarthy could intervene.

Abbott’s reaction was what made the post-fight scene memorable for all the wrong reasons. After finishing the fight, the bearded heavyweight looked at the prone Matua and mocked his fallen foe. It was the type of stomach-churning moment that MMA would take years to recover from and a far cry from the sportsmanlike attitude displayed by most modern fighters. Afterward, Abbott made nary a mention of concern for Matua in a post-fight interview.

“That’s what I am,” Abbott said in response to his performance. “That’s only one dimension. I will go on. I’m a little winded right now because I’m excited. Other than that, cakewalk baby.”

Even today, the image of Matua lying in the “Fighter’s Crucifix” position, along with Abbott’s mockery of him, remains an image burned into the minds of many MMA fans.

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