The passing of Evan Tanner: One year later
by Jesse Holland on Sep 8, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
47 comments
Hard to imagine it's already been a year since we lost the former UFC middleweight champ...
For more on Evan Tanner -- the man as well as the fighter -- be sure to check out his ‘For a better world’ unreleased videos after the jump.
Part one:
Part two:
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One of my all time favorite fighters – a true warrior
by ScissorSweep on Sep 8, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
same here…. he had me working on his entrance music right before he died. I couldnt believe it. Always enjoyed watching Evan Tanner fight.
by jimmycrackcorn on Sep 8, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone on the UG was sayin how we should all try to make Sept 8 a day of kindness to honor him. I like that idea. Very few generous people like Tanner in the world.
by NameNotRequired on Sep 8, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap it’s been one year. Remember bein on holiday and hearing this
Love just listening to him talk, I can’t say anything new that hasn’t been said good aboot him. Taken too early, but still achieved a lot
by IrishKev on Sep 8, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
great guy im sure, he looked like a bum, fought like a bum, but problably nicest journeyman bum you will ever meet
by dtoto on Sep 8, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
fought like a bum? dude was middleweight champ and fought some of the best and was self taught, what have u accomplished in ur life to cast jugement on a guy who will probalby achived more on a weekend that u’ll achive in ur life
by ruan-fiy on Sep 8, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dtoto was probably a MMA Newbie at best around that Tanner’s era… otherwise he would adjust his comment in context for how MMA and fighters were evolving at that time.
by DAVE A on Sep 8, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its been a year – jeez time flys! RIP TANNER! – BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF ONE!
by Randy for Couture on Sep 8, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
R.I.P Mr. Tanner, was a great example of a warrior indeed.
by DanTheMan on Sep 8, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the word “warrior” does not even do him justice. RIP
by Xsjado on Sep 8, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tanner was an interesting guy. Liked watching him fight, was sad to see him lose to Grove in his last fight…
by Chadx23 on Sep 8, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Amazing person and fighter. Evan, we will miss you….
by yoububg on Sep 8, 2009 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
R.I.P. BIG E !!!TRUE WARRIOR RITE THERE!!!
by d*locc on Sep 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he should be in the hall of fame by now really intresting person that gave alot to the ufc and the fans he learned to fight from video tapes and if mask is in the hall of fame why isn’t evan after so many fights.I dont think he would care anyway i think there should be more fighters in the hall of fame than what their is RIP EVAN
by rammon dekkers on Sep 8, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you can also add Bas rutten and pat milicich (sp) to that list
by Blazy J on Sep 8, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i never got to watch tanner in his hay day, but when i saw the fight he had with franklin (tanner vs franklin 2, i think) i understood what every one was talking about. I have a ton of respect for all the old school stars who never got to see the big paydays, they were the ones who watched the old bad days of the ufc and said i want too do that.
by Blazy J on Sep 8, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not going to lie, I was never a big fan of evan tanner as a fighter. But he was one of the most amazing people in the sport, no doubt about that. everyone should take his words to heart about asking what they can do for people instead of vice versa. RIP Evan
by TheLastProdigiousRushingAxeMurderingEmperor on Sep 8, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yea awesome person; I read a school needed a playground built, didn’t have the money for labor so sent emails to pro athletes for help (cause they basically had 1 day to get it done and needed guys that were in shape to help them knock it out). Tanner’s email reply was:
“Your cause is a good one, I’ll be there.”
Showed up and worked his @ss off getting that thing built; people like him are in short supply now a days.
R.I.P. Evan
by O damn he got caught on Sep 8, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A Parent Teacher Association had been working hard to raise the funds needed to build a safe playground for the 870+ children attending this low-income school. A $5,000 grant that the school received for the playground had a stipulation. After raising the remaining funds needed for the playground equipment the school would have to build it themselves. They needed 150 volunteers to do the build successfully. A parent started contacting as many athletes as she could think of. She knew that strength and stamina was what the school was going to need to get the playground built in one day. There were few responses. Professional fighter, Evan Tanner of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) heard about the need for tough guys with big hearts and offered to fly in from Las Vegas to help.
“Your Cause is a good one.” “I will be there,” Evan Tanner simply stated.
The playground build was on Saturday, November 3rd. Starting at 8am and ending at 5pm when the playground was completed. Evan Tanner showed up bright and early with a smile on his face and ready to work.
Tanner spent the first part of the day building a rock climb side by side with a parent and some teachers. After that job was done he moved outside to the site and just jumped in and moved from one task to another. Seeing each task completed before he moved on to the next. Not once did he stand still unless it where for a picture with a fan.
“Tanner managed to nearly have a hand in putting together every part of this playground today.” “He is amazing.” “I have never seen anything like it,” said a local volunteer.
After the equipment was up, concrete in, and everything leveled it was lunch time. Tanner had a few minutes to get some food in before he spent his lunch time signing autographs for the 50 or more kids attending. He brought trading cards and gave each child an autographed picture writing something inspirational on each one.
“The ones to my daughters say, Live strong and dream big and Live well, Laugh often, and Love much,” revealed a fan.
He also signed a t-shirt here or there upon request. The children seemed to be in awe. He then met with some local heroes out in the parking lot. The local fire department showed up to support the build day. The bunch of heroes took part in getting some autographs as well. Once lunch was over he was back at work moving the mountain of mulch.
“That man is a machine, a human shovel,” said a volunteer from a local church.
“I guarantee that Tanner moved a third of that mountain himself!” said a parent and volunteer.
“He brought the same intensity to the playground build that he brings to the octagon,” stated a fan.
“He has the most heart of anyone I have ever met, a true inspiration.” “Not too many people get to meet someone as humble and giving as Mr. Evan Tanner.” “He flew here to work for strangers, for free.” “He made this day for the kids even more special than I had hoped for.” “It is nice to know that some athletes remember that they can make a difference outside of their sport.” “I am Lucky to have met him,” declared volunteer and Playground Leader.
by DanTheMan on Sep 9, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I went to order tickets for UFC 106, and every site i tried ordering them from wanted to charge me a 65 dollar sure charge per ticket, what a load of crap. Does anyone know how i can get around this bull crap?
by corey on Sep 8, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what a waste of space, and disresectful
by DanTheMan on Sep 8, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol corey, thats probably for the fight club membership, wait until they go on sale for real, this is probably pre sale.
calm down guys, he didn’t die today and he drove to the desert with no supplies!
I was a fan, too bad he couldn’t handle all his demons!
by kevin on Sep 8, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did not know him so well as i do now. Boy i missed a lot.
I really like Tanner. I hope he has found peace. RIP Tanner
by sean on Sep 8, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have my Team Tanner “Believe” shirt on today to honour him. Thanks Evan for all the great fights and everything you did for MMA and humankind.
by JRK on Sep 8, 2009 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I cant believe its been a year already. thats insane. its seems like its only been a couple months.
by djhbv23 on Sep 8, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Still sadly missed. R.I.P Evan. a true legend of the sport.
by Neil on Sep 8, 2009 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Evan was one of my favorites.
Never could find the results of the toxicology report after his death????
by TapedUpPair on Sep 8, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow great vids……..I like how he said ‘go places and meet new people’. Great way to live
by robbyc on Sep 8, 2009 4:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WHY IS HE NOT IN THE UFC HALL OF FAME
by kickinthehead on Sep 8, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
tanner former mw champ
frank shamrock former mw champ
bas rutten former hw champ
pat miletich former ww champ dana will not allow him in to HOF
carlos newton former ww champ
tito ortiz former lh champ who will probably be in the HOF now he is back
pedro rizzo ultimate brazil i think
jens pulver first lw champ
don frye former champ
maurice smith former champ
vitor ultimate brazil he will probably be in one day.
you could say some more of the old school guys could be in i would put kieth hackney in for beating joe son in the balls about 50 times.
by rammon dekkers on Sep 8, 2009 5:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
FOr one , this is old footage that is just reposted why? i don’t know except mabye there was nothing welse to post ( i hope not) or 2 people should be upset how the ufc have not done more for a former champion in their organization.
I wonder why? Maybe the ufc knows something more about his death than we do. Dana prob thinks he’s a jerk or something , i’m sure dana has said what stupid moron goes out in the desert alone with not even enough gas besides tito.
Seriously why is this re posted ???
by iamdanawhite on Sep 8, 2009 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow…. on year. I really miss him. And I really wish I could have a few private moments with those on this thread who have been disrespectful. You chosen course on this thread alone shows how truly small and insignifigant you are. How absolutely sad to live that way. Complete opposite of what Evan preached and lived.
by Youtaped on Sep 8, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what did anyone say that was so bad? I could see if he was murdered yesterday, but come on! I was a big fan of Evan, but if you’re worried about what some high school kid in his moms basement wrote about a guy who essentially went into the desert with no supplies, it shows how “insignificant you are!” I’m more worried about my family or the economy over someone I never met and watched on TV!
by kevin on Sep 8, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you’ve said this a couple of times now about evan going into the desert with no supplies. that is simply not true. evan had done camping outings like this several times. he was more than prepared for this one. he had the right things he needed. sadly, it came down to some bad information about a water source.
you could read more on the story to get the facts.
here is one story that is done very well and is accurate.
http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/09/08/one-year-later-evan-tanners-unforgettable-life-and-legacy-reme/
by battery on Sep 9, 2009 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Happy to see that Tanner is getting some love on this site. it seemed like i was the only one hoping to see him do well in his comeback attempt. Evan was a true warrior inside and outside of the cage. he was a pioneer of the sport and a self taught fighter that rose to the top to become UFC mw champion. he had a great outlook on life and would have been a great ambassador for the sport. he should def be in the hall of fame. heart goes out to Evan and his family on this day. Requiescat In Pace (R.I.P.) Evan Tanner
by bullsh*t on Sep 8, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
happy to see that Tanner is getting some love. he was a true warrior inside the octagon and a great person outside of it. a pioneer of the sport and a former UFC mw champion. he will be missed. Requiescat In Pace Evan Tanner.
- Believe In The Power Of One
by bullsh*t on Sep 8, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
R.I.P. hopefully the UFC puts Evan in the HOF sooner than later.
by Puck Head on Sep 8, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
TANNER VS. DAVE TERREL IS ONE OF MY FAV FIGHTS IN THE UFC!!
by d*locc on Sep 8, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rest in peace. That guy had no fear in the cage. One of my favorite fighters of all time
by broncos12405 on Sep 8, 2009 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
kinda interesting, i started my day watching his fight where won the title, i had no idea that its been a year, i seen the fight like 6 times even b4 he died but it has the best effect after he died sadley..
by guyverbob on Sep 8, 2009 9:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
tanner vs terrel was a good fight i can remember people thinking tanner was gona get beat because terrel just knocked out matt lindland in the 1st round but tanner pounded the crap out of him and terrel couldn’t do nothing on the ground with tanner.
by rammon dekkers on Sep 9, 2009 5:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i think its bollox how some fat sack of wine like dana decides to put you in the HOF or not pat miletich was a champ and gave the ufc more champs and great fighters after he left tanner put on loads of great fights. What pisses me off about dana if you ast him why their not in the HOF he would say its not my choice but everyone knows he can make it happen.
by rammon dekkers on Sep 9, 2009 5:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s so easy to listen to. One of the most exciting fighters ever. RIP
by Insain on Sep 9, 2009 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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