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It is with great sadness that we report that legendary UFC and boxing cutman Leon Tabbs has passed away at the age of 86. Tabbs was a fixture at boxing events in the US for decades and became the UFC’s first official cutman all the way back at the first UFC in November of 1993. No official cause has been cited.
RIP to the UFC’s original cutman, Leon Tabbs.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) June 16, 2018
Mr. Tabbs was an absolute class act and will always be a legend in this sport. #RIPLeonTabbs pic.twitter.com/cH5odpBppJ
So sad to hear that Leon Tabbs has passed on. Leon was an original. He was a cutman at UFC 1 and even had a role in the original Rocky. He stayed with the UFC for 20 years! It was an honor to know and work with you Leon. God has another warrior angel guarding his throne tonight
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) June 16, 2018
Sad to announce that my friend and “Godfather of Cutmen”, Leon Tabbs has passed away. The original cutman from UFC 1, Leon set the stage for all cutmen to follow. We shared many great moments together and those memories will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/mqakTjvNxL
— Jacob Stitch Duran (@StitchDuran) June 16, 2018
Tabbs retired from the fight game back in 2012 after a career that spanned over 65 years. Tabbs started boxing when he was just 13 years old and is on record winning a Silver Gloves competition in Philadelphia and an amateur featherweight title back in 1947. Following an eight year stint in the Navy during the Korean War, Tabbs became a police officer and kept his boxing skills sharp as a trainer.
Over the years he became a constant sight as a cutman in the corners of big boxing events, with names like Bernard Hopkins swearing by his work. The UFC picked Tabbs up for their very first event and from there he became a fixture at MMA events as well. Our condolences go out to Leon’s family and friends. He will be missed.
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