Joe Silva Story About Tank At UFC 40

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Onetrickpony

Stay gold
Nov 21, 2016
14,041
32,288
I read this Tank story in the comments on Reddit. Even though the article comes from Sherdog, I had never heard the story before and thought I would share it here.



On Nov. 22, 2002, in the middle of the UFC's biggest event to date, Abbott, not long removed from a pro wrestling stint in World Championship Wrestling, strolled out in his leather biker jacket to announce his return to the Octagon. White had kept it a secret from what was at the time a tiny core Zuffa staff. While you'll never see it on DVD or Fight Pass, as Abbott walked down the ramp, Silva fired off his headset, sprinted halfway around the Octagon and began screaming in White's face.

White, whose entire public persona is predicated on his alleged bolshie, tough guy street sensibilities, apologized to Silva, just like always. Seven years later, White signed then-41-year-old boxing legend James Toney to a contract in one of the most surreal and inexplicable happenings in UFC history. He did it in secret, without consulting Silva. When he called that Richmond area code to let the cat out of the bag, Silva had a field day. If part of the work world is supposed to occasionally taking a bite of the collective s--- sandwich, Silva always refused and just threw it back in the face of his bosses.

Opinion: A Logical Character Sketch of a Logical Man

I actually laughed out loud at the thought of seeing silva yelling in eggs face while he sheepishly tried to apologize. I wish there was a camera angle that showed this happening.

Also, look at how small Joe and eggs heads were back then.
 

GSPTrainingInAPool

Man on the silver mountain
Dec 1, 2015
2,995
3,821
Now they can't keep anything a secret. Ariel some how found out that Brock was coming back. The mole was probably Silva getting back at Dana!
 

Robbie Hart

All Kamala Voters Are Born Losers, Ha Ha Ha
Feb 13, 2015
51,545
51,813
I like Dana's hair and how non jacked Lorenzo was........
 

Sheepdog

Protecting America from excessive stool loitering
Dec 1, 2015
8,912
14,224
It's fast becoming clear that while Silva may have been a cunt, he was the cunt stopping the company from descending into the shitshow it took less than a year to become after his absence.

His departure has severely hurt MMA.
 

Sex Chicken

Exotic Dancer
Sep 8, 2015
25,818
59,384
Joe's a coward. Tank Abbot EVER talked to me that way and I would drop him.

YOU HEAR ME TANK?!?! I WORK TOO DAMN HARD! WORKING MY ASS OFF! TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR MY FAMILY! TO HAVE YOU DISRESPECT ME!!!
 

seekntruth

#keepladyhands
First 100
Jan 18, 2015
5,788
9,053
The transformation from beta to "alpha" by Egg and Tiny Swole is nothing shear of remarkable, and I'm reminded of this every time I watch old fights and vids.
 

Wild

Zi Nazi
Admin
Dec 31, 2014
90,131
129,717
I'm torn on Joe. I realize his job was certainly not easy but he seems like a royal prick that never had much regard for the fighters.
 

Onetrickpony

Stay gold
Nov 21, 2016
14,041
32,288
I'm torn on Joe. I realize his job was certainly not easy but he seems like a royal prick that never had much regard for the fighters.
I can understand having to distance your feelings from your work and for him that may have included the fighters being treated like material assets rather than people.

We've all heard stories of his assholishness. But, those tales are second hand from fighters who were involved and emotion can change personal reflection on an issue. I'm sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.