Evan Tanner: Losing a True Hero

I am in absolute shock as I write this article. I don't like to write more than once a day, but I was forced by my heart to do so. Today the UFC and the entire MMA lost a great fighter. But more importantly, the world lost a great person.

I am truly distraught at the fact that something like this could happen. Of course everyone must go at some point or another, but it is truly emotionally draining to hear of someone going before his time.

Evan Tanner began his Mixed Martial Arts journey in 1997 in the USWF. It would take him less than two years to compile a 16-1 record, with all fights ending in the first round. That was enough for the UFC to give him a call and without any hesitation he won his first two fights in the UFC by a rear naked choke and TKO. Evan would not look back.

Tanner was currently the USWF champion and would defend that title five times, including four times during his first UFC hiatus. That hiatus, however, would last less than a year.

In less than four years since his MMA debut, he had built his record to 22-2.

His return to the UFC was very successful, defeating his opponent in the first round once again. But it would take a loss to Tito Ortiz to really show Evan the way. He is quoted as saying that loss made him more focused, and he began to show his true potential in his next three UFC fights.

Evan would finish two of his next three fights, winning the third by unanimous decision. He would once again put his UFC career on the backburner, leaving the UFC for almost a year and winning the one fight during the hiatus.

It was during this hiatus that Tanner began training with the prestigious Team Quest.

His UFC return would put him face to face with Rich Franklin. He lost this fight in the first round, but as always Evan would not be down for long. He rebounded with a controversial victory over Phil Baroni.

To quell the controversy Evan agreed to a rematch with Baroni, resulting in another win for Tanner in a fight that he decided to keep standing.

Next Evan would be pitted against Robbie Lawler, the current fourth ranked middleweight in the world. Evan would do as he always seemed to do. He put the fight away in the first round, this time with a triangle choke.

It was at this time that Evan decided to leave Team Quest, but he was also awarded a fight against David Terrell for the vacant UFC middleweight title.

Evan came away with not only a win, but his second championship belt, his confidence restored, and a chance to become a coach on the second season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Evan was hell-bent on getting that coaching position, but unfortunately doctors stopped his second fight with Rich Franklin in the fourth round. Evan would lose his middleweight championship, and a chance to be a part of history.

Tanner became a part of American Top Team, but lost a fight to David Loiseau, once again due to doctor stoppage. Tanner then left the UFC to deal with personal issues.

His comeback would once again be successful, stopping Justin Levens.

But once again Evan left the UFC, this time to open up his own gym and start his own foundation for disadvantaged athletes and young men at risk. Tanner himself remodeled the home and housed 12 athletes from six different weight classes.

Upon his return to the UFC, Evan did not look the same, dropping both of his final fights.

Evan Tanner has left behind him a legacy as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. He was a man who put his MMA dreams to a halt to help those not as fortunate as himself.

My deepest condolences go out to the Tanner family and everyone close to Evan. I ask you to keep any comments purely positive. Please do not write anything derogatory about Evan or his family.

RIP Evan Tanner. You will truly be missed.

BELIEVE