What you missed about Evan Tanner round here

All I have read regarding Evan Tanner on here is only part of the story. Yes he was a great champion fighter, who went against some of the baddest of the bad in the UFC. And yet most fans now, this is their introduction to him. To those new fans, you missed one of the best parts of MMA in the U.S. growing up. So on a day, when so many are remembered for who they were, lets set this story straight too.

Evan started at 205, losing to Ortis, moving to 185 to gain the belt and losing it to Franklin.. all that being said that was Evan the fighter. what is missing is Evan the man. Evan never did things to what others thought the norm, he was the drummer, he made the beat of which he walked. That's to be admired, especially in this time and age.

Evan was not unlike you or I, he had his faults, he also had the balls to put it all out in the open, for the world to see. He was MIA from the Mixed Martial Arts scene for a good two years, often blogging about financial troubles, and drinking heavily... Well guess what, he fought, not in a cage, but in life, he fought his daemons, out in the open, and won, on his terms. H made it back to the big show, Being offered big money sponsorship contracts, on;y to turn them down, because those companies, in his eyes, the onl;y ones that matter in his life, were not there for MMA, they were there for profit. Instead, he relied on Team Tanner, his fans, and what they could donate to his training.. are F@ckinkidding me!?! Who cares what he did in the ring, cage what other arena a fight happens, this was a man who had principals, was honest, and was in it to see what he could give back. Did this make him the poster boy? nah, but ask a guy, a fighter or anyone who met him or read his blog, revealing him as a person, good, bad, and ugly, but true.. that was Evan Tanner. The adventurer, kindred spirit, fighter in and out of the cage, and honest with himself, be it good or bad.... This is who I will miss, this is why us "old schoolers" as so many around here call us, this is the man we will miss, because men like him, are not a dying breed in MMA, they are a dying breed in the world. Evan has moved on to a greater adventure, and may he find peace in doing so.