Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tank Abbott vs. Butterbean : 'Alabama Pride
It was the fight that needed to happen. Well, maybe needed is too strong a word, but vodka bottles and turkey legs don't grow on trees, and it's either this or substitute teaching. That's right, freak-fight-fans: UFC pioneer Tank Abbott (10-14) and beach-ball-shaped knockout artist Eric "Butterbean" Esch (13-7-1 MMA, 77-7-4 boxing) will be getting it on at a Thunder Promotions MMA event called "Alabama Pride," which will go down December 12th at the BJCC Arena in Birmingham. Amazingly, both men are coming off wins. Abbott snapped a four-fight losing streak in February with his KO via rabbit punches of Mike Bourke. Butterbean last competed ten days ago, defeating Tom Howard by RNC in a fight that looked like it might have been a work; either that, or Tom Howard really is a belly-flopping pussy (no offense).
Now, Butterbean and Tank will finally get to see who has the better haymakers. But don't be surprised if Bean tools Tank on the ground; he's honed his grappling at American Top Team, and his last four wins have come by submission. "Alabama Pride" also promises a celebrity fight between rapper DMX and Eric Martinez, who's so famous that Wikipedia has never heard of him. If anybody can shed some light, please do so in the comments section.
After the jump: The event poster, and why Tank vs. Bean probably won't be decided by leg kicks.
cagepotato
DMX VS ERIC MRTINEZ
The rapper DMX is scheduled for a fight against Eric Martinez on the same card where Butterbean will take on Tank Abbott.
Go ahead, read that sentence again, and let it soak in.
Thunder Promotions, who is putting on this card in Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 12, must not have been satisfied that the Butterbean/Tank Abbott bout was enough of a freak show fight. Eric "Butterbean" Esch, at 5'11", 350 lbs., will likely outweigh the veteran Abbott by nearly 100 lbs.
But nothing screams freak show fights like a celebrity bout. DMX, the rapper who once was a part of Ruff Ryders, has become better known for his run-ins with the law than his musical talents. Cocaine and marijuana possession, theft, animal cruelty, criminal weapon possession, DUI, parole violations and giving a false name and social security number at a hospital are all part of his past.
In a recent interview, DMX said that he is working on two albums now because "the streets need him." He didn't mention any training for MMA, but hey, who needs to train for a fight? The good news for DMX is that MMA is not regulated in Alabama, which is why freak show fights like this can happen. Drug testing is usually under the control of the state regulatory commissions, so DMX will most likely not have to take a drug test.
Reality TV star Spencer Pratt and baseball player Jose Canseco have also dipped their toes in the MMA pool. With Canseco, his fight ended in 77 seconds. Let's see if DMX can last that long.
Thanks to Bloody Elbow
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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