FORMER UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP EVAN TANNER DEAD AT 37

by The Prophet, The Savage Science

Usually I come here to tell you what a great writer I am, brag about my rock star lifestyle and how I'm a role model that all you people should try to emulate--futile though it may be. Those are all true,of course, but today I want to remember Evan Tanner, the former UFC middleweight champion who was found dead yesterday at the age of 37. Tanner had gone camping deep in the Palo Verde mountain area of California, ran out of gas for his motorcycle, walked too far from his campground and succumbed to the 115-118 degree heat.

Tanner was one of the most unique individuals ever in a sport full of interesting and unusual characters. Kid Nate over at Bloody Elbow.com has written a definitive tribute to Tanner--its so good that anyone writing or thinking of writing one of their own might as well stop because you're not going to do better than this. Here's an excerpt:

That was one thing I always admired about Tanner. He fought for the challenge. He fought to test himself. He was always generous and friendly to opponents. He didn't fight from anger or hatred. He fought as a positive force, a lone man testing himself against the universe. Sadly, that's how he died, too. But he's not alone anymore, he's part of that infinity he sought now.

Like Evan, I was born and raised in the Texas panhandle. Its a hard place to live. One of the last places in the continental U.S. to be settled by whites, it was only tamed in the 1880s and 90s and threatens to go back to wild plains with each farm closing. More west than south, more midwest than any other part of Texas, and yet defiantly, violently Texan. There's a saying in West Texas -- "We don't look down on nobody, but we sure as hell ain't looking up to anybody either."

Nate continues...

Evan Tanner epitomized both these regional traits. He was an utter badass and a true free spirit who flew his freak flag high and just did not give a fuck what anyone thought.

But let's not forget Evan Tanner the fighter. No he wasn't one of the absolute all-time greats, but I think he's a Hall of Famer. Here's why:

1. He was one of the best fighters to come out of the first wave of regional MMA events in America. His only peers in this were Josh Barnett, Pat Militech, Jeremy Horn and Heath Herring.

2. He was a UFC champion and a Neo-blood champion in Pancrase back when that really meant something.

3. He was one of the first, if not the first fighters, to combine good wrestling, effective muy thai in the clinch, and good jiu jitsu. More than that he practically invented elbows on the ground. Not cheap ass glancing open a cut elbows either -- Tanner's ground and pound elbows were short sharp shocks that stunned and damaged grounded opponents. Watch his very first UFC fights to see why Tanner's career lasted a decade.

4. He finished fights. Out of 32 wins, only 3 were by decision.

5. He was always game and never gave up. His come back wins against Phil Baroni, Robbie Lawler and Dave Terrell are legendary for a reason.

I've posted a couple of fight videos in the extended entry.

I'd say "Rest in Peace" but Evan Tanner was too wild & free to ever rest, instead I'll say:

Blow With the Wind, May Your Adventures Never End.

Not only a great tribute to Tanner, but a first rate piece of writing...go check it out and give your props....

Remembering Evan Tanner @ Bloody Elbow