Evan Tanner video tribute: 1971-2008

R.I.P. Tanner, you were a true warrior in and out of the Octagon.

by Chase on Sep 9, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

Very nicely done, I would like to see a video end with the UFC Championship belt around his waist… that’s how I personally would like to remember him.

by THORAZINE on Sep 10, 2008 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I signed the petition, but I don’t believe it’s necessary to petition for Tanner to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

With almost 20 fights in the UFC and a UFC Middleweight title, it should be ‘automatic’… I have no doubt the UFC will do the right thing, not because they feel sorry for him or the fans petition for it… lets face the facts… Evan Tanner has EARNED the right to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame!

by THORAZINE on Sep 10, 2008 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I dont think the petition is necessary either. Tanner is a LOCK for the Hall of fame.

I opened this mornings edition of the Philly Daily News and it had a sma article on Tanner.

RIP WARRIOR!!!!!!

by john on Sep 10, 2008 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I signed it. I am a little surprised (mostly disappointed) the UFC didn’t do more on their website for him though. I have high expectations for what they’ll do at the next ppv in his honor. R.I.P Evan

by DSmith on Sep 10, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Weather they remember him, or not he will always be stuck in my mind. Such a world class fight, and a super nice guy. This was a terrible thing that happened. My hart goes out to the Tanner family who should be in every thoughts and prayers. R.I.P fellow brother.

by micheal cayo on Sep 13, 2008 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice video. I also just found this:

http://www.ubetoo.com/TopSongs.taf?_SongId=4767

Instant Legand created a tribute song for him. Pretty nice

by Mike Smith on Sep 10, 2008 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Rest in piece man.

by NewGuyTheGunMan on Sep 9, 2008 9:12 PM EDT reply actions

PEACE^

by NewGuyTheGunMan on Sep 9, 2008 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, I thought this weekends UFC was shocking. I didn’t expect to read this.My deepest sympathy goes out to the Tanner family and friends.

RIP, Tanner. You were a vet in MMa. I have always been a fan.

by Stagger-Lee on Sep 10, 2008 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I only got to see his last couple of fights and was looking forward to seeing him fight again.
GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY

by Gary on Sep 9, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

what a shock but he had said many things that would show us that this was coming sadly.

he was great and will be missed.

by bradpittfightclub on Sep 9, 2008 9:14 PM EDT reply actions

I forgot how close he was to finishing Franklin before getting that refresher.

by MMAmania on Sep 9, 2008 9:19 PM EDT reply actions

shit me 2… he knocked him down pretty good with that shot… RIP

by Ricky on Sep 9, 2008 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Just think about if he had actually won that fight. He could have been a coach on TUF. he would have coached Rashad….among others against Matt Hughes…He could have gained a lot more fame had he won that fight. Just a thought. It may sound irrelevant but it just came to mind.

by RyanHobbs on Sep 9, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Evan you were a great human being in and out of the cage, you will forever be in our memories and may you rest in peace.

by Toad on Sep 9, 2008 9:23 PM EDT reply actions

Total admiration.
God Bless

by Luppers on Sep 9, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions

R.I.P EVAN TANNER, YOU WILL BE MISSED!

by Scarr on Sep 9, 2008 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

I do not care what anyone says you were one BAD-MOFO.We wiil not forget you.RIP

by Damein on Sep 9, 2008 9:51 PM EDT reply actions

even the worrior tanner rip going to miss you in the ufc and your induting to the hall of fame peace and see you on the other side.

by www.blackdragon.us on Sep 9, 2008 10:01 PM EDT reply actions

F**k Mania! Whay don’t you post my $h

by TheNegation on Sep 9, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions

And you post this one above, great…just great…

by TheNegation on Sep 9, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Evan lived his life his way and by his terms, the majority of us do not have the courage to do that. Gotta love his warrior spirit to the end. RIP my brother

by bigmcmac on Sep 9, 2008 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

Please, everyone go to that site and do the petition, it probably won’t work but do it just in case it does. RIP Evan, may you find the peace in death you sought after in life.

by tc on Sep 9, 2008 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

I never missed any of Evans fights that were televised. He was a true warrior in every facet of the word. I truly hope the UFC gives him an honorary induction. This new is sooo extremely sad and hard to take for die hard fan. This guy was incredible and will be missed by all. RIP Evan and I wish you the best adventures in heaven.

by halljam2 on Sep 9, 2008 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

Great tribute MMAmania, Thank you, hopefully more to come from the UFC

by Rubberman on Sep 9, 2008 10:30 PM EDT reply actions

this is the next step of his journey…

by Jizzo on Sep 9, 2008 10:36 PM EDT reply actions

UFC never really promoted him correctly while he was either a challenger or a champion. I as well as most of us on here, always respected Evan Tanner for what he did, because he would always leave it out in the octagon and he would never quit. His past 2 fights, 1 I was there live, he never looked like his old self. I think him always brushing with alcoholism and always fighting it, shows that we are all humans and that we all have problems. Evan Tanner was a very kind guy to all of his fans, and he always took time out of his day for us. As being a member of Team Tanner, for a man who I invested my money into, I can never say that I wasted a single penny. So, with that being said, i will Believe in the Power of One, and so should you. Evan Tanner might not be walking the earth today, but we still have memories and fights of Tanner still. Tanner RIP my friend, and try not to beat up too many people up there.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Sep 9, 2008 10:49 PM EDT reply actions

RIP to an amazing person and the guy who had the best entrance song.

by jim on Sep 9, 2008 11:04 PM EDT reply actions

A free spirit in the truest sense. RIP, Evan — you represented all that was good in the game.

by Saidi on Sep 9, 2008 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

Classy tribute. Well done.

by sooper822 on Sep 9, 2008 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

Machida is out! http://tatame.com/2008/09/09/Lyoto-Machida-out-of-UFC-89

by Tony on Sep 9, 2008 11:53 PM EDT reply actions

People are always saying how guys like Silva and GSP are the new mixed martial artist. Well, Tanner could stand, wrestle, and submit. He was an early prototype of this new age fighter, and should be inducted not because he died, but because of the merit he showed while competing. I’ll miss hearing about what he is up to. A truly amazing individual.

by Amos on Sep 10, 2008 1:22 AM EDT reply actions

May your wake up rested and refreshed in a brand new life. You are officially a legend.

by WDC on Sep 10, 2008 1:29 AM EDT reply actions

RIP Evan.

off topic- what is the song in this video?

by giff on Sep 10, 2008 1:35 AM EDT reply actions

Great tribute MMAmania. Reminds me of how tough he was. I’m happy to see all the press on this passing. Evan’s death was one of the sbcyahoo front page stories. Howard Stern announced it today, and MMAmania has done a classy job keeping us in the know. Thank you!

by WDC on Sep 10, 2008 1:38 AM EDT reply actions

great video thanks so much. i never really liked tanner but when something like this happenes to a guy really trying to beter himself you have to look and be sad. great fighter enjoyed watchin him fight all the time. RIP we all know you will

by nick on Sep 10, 2008 6:50 AM EDT reply actions

Do the right thing Dana.

by Perkins on Sep 10, 2008 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

Why did he go out into the desert? Did he leave family behind? Did he want to die? This is a shame. 37 years old and death by over heating what a horrid way to go. A real fighter does not hide from the pressures of life in the dessert. What he did was selfish and foolish. I feel sorry for his family and those that loved him. He said before he left that he might not come back. He knew.

by hatteras on Sep 10, 2008 9:36 AM EDT reply actions

RIP Evan you will be missed!

Anyone know the song btw?

by Chris on Sep 10, 2008 10:17 AM EDT reply actions

I forgot how bad ass his elbo’s were man this is just sad

by DBG on Sep 10, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Damn, I will miss you Evan. Keep your journey going man. You are the icon of a true warrior!!

by enzo-enormous on Sep 10, 2008 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Great man… as a fight and a person…
He brought to light of what the tru sport of MMA is. A man that was humble in victory and defeat… He will be missed…

by Shoto on Sep 10, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Grove might have walked off with the w. But by just being urself Evan, u walked away with more fans u could ever dream of. Nevermind the AWESOME ENTRANCE! I will remember u as a fearless guy that played by his own rules.
(not 4 nuttin, I’ll remember u as “almost like a Randy Couture” that just never was able 2 get 2 that level of fame and popularity), but who’s heart was bigger than life’s!

R.I.P. brother.

p.s. keep ur gloves on and the mat warm cuz we’re gonna scrap when i make it there….c u when i get there

by Gweedo on Sep 10, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

sad news but i dont think evan tanner belongs in the ufc hall of fame. he would not have made it in alive and its not right to emotionally vote him in under the circumstances. but i think the ufc will pay respects by a nice tribute.

by day1er on Sep 10, 2008 5:35 PM EDT reply actions

What? and why not? Why shouldn’t he be in the hall ou check out his record, plus a champ. a fan Favorite.

by DBG on Sep 10, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

“DAY 1 ER”… is that your name because this is the 1st day u started following MMA?

The only sad news is, u don’t have a clue as to what ur talking about.

Evan Tanner:
*Nearly 20 MMA fights in the UFC
*A 32-8 MMA record spaning 11 YEARS
*A UFC MIDDLE WEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE!

So please explain why he doesn’t belong in the UFC Hall of Fame?… enlighten Thorazine & DBG… ok day1er?

by THORAZINE on Sep 10, 2008 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions

look all im saying is there was no talk about putting him in the hall of fame before he died. the hall of fame is a special place for people who have done amazing things. not every former champion should go into the hall of fame, if they do then it wont be a special honor anymore. no disrespect to tanner i like him as much as the next guy. all im saying is keep emotions out of the hall of fame criteria. and for the record i dont think shamrock and coleman should be in either.

by day1er on Sep 11, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Day 1 er, … that’s a different argument, but since Coleman, Shamrock and Severn are there, then Tanner should be there as well.

The current names are:
Shamrock
Gracie
Severn
Couture
Coleman

I’ve been watching MMA since the 1st UFC in 1993. All those guys were great fighters for their time, but not by today’s standards. Evan had like 17 fights in the UFC, that’s more than either Coleman, Shamrock or Severn. All were Champions.

There are always going to be a number of hall of famers that stand head and shoulders above the rest that doesn’t mean the ones that accomplished less shouldn’t be there. Tanner is one of the 1st few guys that studied all facets of the game to really give meaning behind the term MMA, he definitely contributed and a large majority of us believe his name belongs there.
I bet the UFC does as well.

by THORAZINE on Sep 12, 2008 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions

A interesting fact is Evan Tanner learned MMA by reading books on fighting and watching dvd’s featuring MMA instruction at a time when there were no MMA gyms or even good trainers, very few fighters even applied cross training techniques.

This would indeed be “learning the hard way,” but this is the way it was back then and Tanner was one of the 1st to show cross training techniques of Jiu-Jitsu, Muy Thai Knees and vicious elbow striking all added to his wrestling base.

by THORAZINE on Sep 12, 2008 3:45 AM EDT up reply actions

I watched early UFC’s when it was first around and got out of it because I could never find it. Around UFC 40 I got back in to it and the one dude that I could count on was Tanner. Win or lose I loved watching the dude fight. He always put on a great show and was a class act and the MMA world will miss him dearly. Even if his fighting days were winding down, I was looking forward to see some of the fighters he was training and would have loved to see him corner some fights. I don’t get sad that often, but I am now.

by Punk Rock Scott on Sep 10, 2008 8:33 PM EDT reply actions