Tank Abbott Tried to Attack Ryan Bader After Bellator 226
Eye-poke endings are quickly becoming the common ignitor that sparks post-fight beef. First, it was Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens. Now, its Tank Abbott. Although Abbott’s anger wasn’t in direct relation to receiving an eye poke from himself, his reaction happened after Ryan Bader vs Cheick Kongo at Bellator 226. During the bout, Bader accidentally poked Congo in the eye, forcing the match to end in a no-contest. That’s when Tank tried to attack Bader but unfortunately couldn’t get past the railing to do so.
Abbot was in attendance to support his good friend Cheick Kongo in his heavyweight title fight. Bader seemed to be getting the better of Kongo in the striking and grappling departments. Unfortunately, an accidental eye poke forced the action to stop.
The Main Event is over after Kongo got poked accidentally in the eye. #Bellator226 pic.twitter.com/96CodjyJEw
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) September 8, 2019
Eye Poke Results in No-Contest
Kongo went to reach for his eye while Bader had him postured up and grounded against the fence. Referee Mike Beltran immediately stepped in and separated the men. Commentator Big John McCarthy, as well as the crowd, was confused at first at what they witnessed. But, they ultimately realized that it was indeed an eye poke. The doctor came in and ruled Kongo unable to compete. That’s when Abbott… went at it.
In an interview with Submission Radio, Tank explained his positioning.
Tank Abbott Reveals Attack Attempt on Bader
Abbott revealed that he tried to enter himself in a skirmish started by Rampage Jackson who approached Bader after the bout. Admittingly so, Abbott told Submission Radio that he’s good friend with both Jackson and Kongo and that they all trained at the same gym.
When asked about the attempt, Tank said if he were able to clear the railing he would have made Bader feel what it feels like to be poked in the eye. Even at the seasoned age of 51 years old.
“I was just gonna show them (Ryan Bader) what a real thumb up looks like. The one you kind of deliver on the street, you know what I mean? But things were in my way I couldn’t get over. So, things happen for a reason once again. So, he (Bader) lucked out.”
Luckily, we’ll never have to find out what would have happened if Abbott would have been able to enter the cage. For now, we’ll just pretend like Ryan Bader was in as much danger as Tank is projecting.
