His next fight would be against fellow UFC veteran, Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 43. Abbott was taken down seconds into the fight, and was submitted via arm-triangle choke. Abbott then faced Wesley "Cabbage" Correira at UFC 45. After a back-and-forth brawl, Abbott lost the fight via TKO after the ringside doctor determined he was unable to continue after suffering a cut over his right eye. Abbott and his corner got into a minor brawl with Correira's team after being angered by Correira's taunting when being declared the winner. Abbott was released from the UFC afterwards. Abbott later had a rematch with Correira, at Rumble on the Rock 7. Abbott secured his first victory since his return, knocking Correira out with a hard right hand in the first round, becoming the first person to knock Correira out. Abbott's next fight was on August 28, 2005 against highly decorated judoka Hidehiko Yoshida at Pride Final Conflict 2005. Abbott lost via single wing choke submission in the first round. Abbott's next fight was against Paul Buentello, headlining Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello on October 7, 2006. Abbott lost via knockout 43 seconds into the fight. Abbott then fought Gary Turner at the main event of Cage Rage 21 on April 21, 2007. Abbott lost via TKO after a barrage of punches from Turner early in the first round. Abbott's last high-profile fight was against Kimbo Slice in the main event of EliteXC: Street Certified. Abbott was knocked down early, but the fight was restarted after Kimbo landed shots to the back of Abbott's head. Abbott would lose the bout via knockout seconds later. His next fight was against former PRIDE veteran Mike Bourke on February 13, 2009, at the Selland Arena in Fresno, California as part of the Valentine's Eve Massacre Event. Abbott knocked out Bourke with a punch that inadvertently landed to the back of Bourke's head, securing a victory for the first time in nearly four years. In 2011 Abbott participated in an unsanctioned "backyard brawl" against Scott Ferrozzo, whom he previously fought at UFC 11. Abbott knocked down Ferrozzo early with a punch, before taking his back and holding dominant position for over 15 minutes, occasionally landing punches. He was declared the winner via unanimous decision. At King of the Cage: Fighting Legends, on April 13, 2013, Abbott was defeated by longtime veteran Ruben "Warpath" Villareal by way of a 2nd-round