Ex-UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner dead at 37
September 8, 2008 by Sam Caplan
Filed under Breaking News, Evan Tanner
A dead body discovered by Imperial County (Calif.) law enforcement officials near the Palo Verde mountain area on Monday has been identified as that of 37-year old former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner, according to the UFC via its official website.
A report in Monday’s Imperial Valley Press first revealed that Tanner had been declared missing over the weekend.
A motorcycle reported to be Tanner’s was discovered by a Clapp Springs area campsite on Sunday. Friends of Tanner had reported him missing on Friday after text messages sent to his attention had gone unanswered since Wednesday.
A sheriff’s deputy discovered the then-unidentified body on Monday while flying in the area in search of the missing Tanner.
In a blog entry submitted to Spike TV’s website on August 16, Tanner spoke of a potential camping expedition in the Southern California desert. He morbidly discussed the possibility of dying during the trip.
“I’ve been gathering my gear for this adventure for over a month, not a long time by most standards, but far too long for my impatient nature,” wrote Tanner. “Being a minimalist by nature, wanting to carry only the essentials, and being extremely particular, it has been a little difficult to find just the right equipment. I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life.”
Tanner last competed in Las Vegas on June 21 during in the main event of the live season finale for the seventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” He sustained a great deal of punishment in losing a split decision to Kendall Grove.
At one time Tanner had been considered a top-ten middleweight but had seen his performance decline in recent years due to age and personal problems. He made his return to competitive fighting this past March at UFC 82 after nearly a two-year absence.
This is bullshit. ‘Guy seems to get his head right, and now this.
I’ve been watching Evan Tanner fight for almost a decade now, since his UFC debut.
What originally drew me to him was that here was a guy, self-taught and trained, whopping up on fighters who had camps, trained with others, all that.
I was heartbroken when Ortiz slammed him into unconsciousness but I always knew he’d be back.
I was ecstatic when I heard he was dropping to 185. He worked his way to a MW title shot against David Terrell and in one of the greatest showings of heart ever, won the strap via TKO.
Seriously… if you want the definition of heart and warrior spirit, watch this fight.
His personal demons started to affect him professionally, it seemed and a self-imposed two-year exodus did little to sharped his skills. A rusty, and I hate to say, unmotivated Tanner showed up against Okami and Grove where a dynamic, well-rounded fighter once stood.
I can only hope that in the days leading up to his death, he was happy and in the closing moments of life, he came to terms with himself, flaws included.
I hope he knows how much he affected people during his life and especially now that’s he gone.
He will truly be missed by his friends, family, and MMA fans all around the world who want their fighters tough yet humble.
Rest in peace, Evan Tanner. I pray you have found the peace you were looking for in life.
I just want to add that I share the setiments of everone except kneetotheface………RIP EVAN
There is a short tribute video to Evan up on Youtube right now if anyone would like to view it, certainly a very nice tribute to a great person and fighter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vo8DMJXq5s
Fuck hey.
He obviously knew the risks, but took them on anyway.
Sad to see him go at all, let alone out this way.
May g-d rest his soul in heaven. A true free spirit. Taken too soon.
It’s too bad the toughest battles Tanner had to fight weren’t in the cage, but he was a true warrior in every sense and will be remembered well. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.
Evan was not only an inspiration to fighters but to everyday people as well. His battles were well-documented and it was great to see him rise against them and seem to be in a peaceful state as he enjoyed his many adventures. He will be missed terribly.
jeremy: thanks for the link. i forgot about that bomb he hit franklin with. and the fact that he used to rock the high tops back in the day. funny seeing those old clips with hardily any logos in the octagon. good memories.
This is indeed sad. Even though he was a bit eccentric, I met this guy a few months ago in Vegas where he was doing some signatures for the Memorial Day UFC, and after all the other fighters and staff left. This guy stayed behind for an extra hour to take pictures and sign autographs with fans that didnt get a chance during the official sign in. Class act.
Another warrior gone to guard the gates of Heaven. I pray he can find the rest he was looking for now that he couldn’t find here. Rarely does a man come along that is so open and honest about his own life and problems. Guard well, brother.
RIP, Evan. Although many of us never met you in person, we feel like we did. Because of your blog, your wars in the octagon, your story and your connection to the human condition, you surpassed the moniker of “fighter” or “mixed-martial artist”. You’re an inspiration, an innovator and a tragedy. You will be sorely missed.
Godspeed Evan. May all the pain that you endured in this life not follow you into the next.
Thank you for all the joy and excitement that you gave to MMA fans. May you find peace and tranquility on your journey.
To the family and friends that you have left behind, my deepest sympathy. God Bless.
JUST BELIEVE
RIP Evan, the world will forever miss you.
My prayers are with his family, friends, and the whole MMA community. May he live on forever in our hearts.
Defenitely horrible news. I always appreciated Evan’s work ethic and heart. I always hoped he would be able to get back on track and get a few more wins under his belt before he retired for good. He will be missed.
My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. Terrible news
rest in peace evan the mma world has truly lost one of its greatest
R.I.P Evan, you will be missed.
I’m sorry for the guy, but more sorry for his family, assuming he had any. I suppose it’s admirable on some level to live life on your own terms, but at some point doesn’t it become selfish and insensitive to your loved ones? They’re the ones left with the emotional consequences of bad decisions like going into extreme conditions with insufficient equipment and provisions.
RIP Evan Tanner huge heart no back up or quit in this fighter thanks for the memories and you wont be forgotten.
RIP EVAN!
Very upsetting news. I always liked Evan Tanner and felt for the hard times that befell him towards the end of his life. I would encourage his friends and teammates to set up a fund to offset funeral expenses and to post this information on the internet. I would like to contribute to the cause.
RIP Evan Tanner.
rest in peace brother. your life affected many others in a positive way.
Seriously, its a horrible tragedy. I knew he had his battles with depression and alcohol, etc. but to finally hear that it got the most of him hurts to the heart. Rest well Mr. Tanner, MMA and the world will miss a great person like you!
I’ve been so busy I just got the the sad news.
Evan seemed to be a very complicated guy. I REALLY liked him he was one of the “Good Guys”–never got a chance to meet him but but a couple of people I know that did meet/know him on more than one occasion said he was a great guy- consistently- humble, affable, friendly and open.
I too felt for his hard times and final resolve to straighten himself out . I often checked out his blog.
Teacher and Mike Wolfe echo much of what i’m thinking.
I gotta say when I got the text from my buddy, I asked if it was a suicide…. But from what I’ve read so far, it seems maybe/probably not; just Evan doing what he always did, what he couldn’t help but do ……..pushin’ the envelope.
I hope you’ve found some peace .
Thanks for all you gave us, See ya on the other side…..
R .I .P
I watched Evan early in his career and I must say that he was one of the toughest SOBs in the cage. That fight against Franklin where he just would not give in proves that he had a huge heart. His open struggles in life and to see him make a return to the octagon was huge by any measure. Rest In Peace Even. Thanks for all of the memories!!!
R.I.P. Brother. You will be missed. One of my favorite fighters to ever step into the cage.
sucks…I think I liked him more as a human being than as a fighter, and that’s what matters most.
r.i.p.
Rest in Peace Evan You were a champion and no one can take that from you.
Evan Tanner was simplistic , yet a complicated man. Perhaps this was a moment in time he manufactured to lead him down a different path in life or let God and Nature take him.
Evan Tanner lived and left on his own terms rather than live by society’s norms. I’m going to celebrate the life you lived rather than mourn the legacy you left.
R.I.P Evan Tanner… Thank You for the Great MMA memories you were a man that was admired by many, not always for the words you spoke but always for the spirit you carried inside.
I knew Evan in highschool wrestling. He was a goofy kid back then, but even then, he was his own man. I admire that he took it all the way. What a heart..
i don’t browse very much on the internet so i just found out today about evan tanner’s unfortunate death he was one of my favorites. key knee to the face if i knew who you were pal, believe ME when i tell you, i’d give you a knee to the face and rent your ass out bitch made punk!!!!!!!!!