From the Depths of Hell to the UFC

And The ex-UFC middleweight champion, Evan Tanner, is coming back! 15 years of drinking and a bout with alcohol since April of 2006 has sidelined this exciting fighter for too long. You may be wondering why anyone would bother talking about a returning UFC fighter who isn’t a big name for the casual fan yet. It doesn’t come down to money for me on this one as Tanner has been down on his luck for a little while before decided to start fighting again. But this isn’t an article on how I pity the guy; it’s a story of inspiration. Let’s go back and recap some of the main points of Evan Tanner in the past few years after his fallout from the UFC.

Tanner has admitted to being an alcoholic for a long time and since April of 2006, after his win over Justin Levins during UFC 59, he has been away from MMA. Fast forward to the fall of 2007. On his MySpace blog in October 1st, Tanner mentioned that he was “setting a date” and while many of us just kinda rolled our eyes, Tanner definitely wasn’t fooling around. Sure, most of us know that many addicts will set their dates and make their promises, but they never pan out. Shortly after setting his date, Tanner’s sunken boat washed up on the shore. Tanner’s life was at rock bottom. Well, Tanner proved a lot of people wrong and rebounded. Hopefully (to keep this positive) proved a few people that he was right as well.

It didn’t take long for the positive energy to kick in. Tanner found out that a school needed volunteers to help build a playground. They had the money, but not the manpower. Tanner didn’t have much to say:

“Your Cause is a good one.” “I will be there.”

Others had a lot more to say:

“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.

This heart is what Tanner used to continue his upward spiral.

After he began cleaning himself up and before deciding to fight again, Tanner began focusing his effort on the Evan Tanner foundation to help disadvantaged fighters. He spent months working on his team, but decided to begin training as well. The work began and Tanner sent some updates regarding his living situation and his training. He started sleeping under a boxing ring where he trained until he was able to land an apartment in Las Vegas.

Winter came and Tanner didn’t stop. Near the end of December, he traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah to train with Josh Burkman at the Absolute Gym. Fighting and snowboarding seem to the way of life for Burkman and Tanner tagged long. He looked great, spent most of his days training, and seemed to be working hard on staying sober. His apartment was still sparsely furnished with an old television, a laptop on a coardboard box, and pictures in frames leaning against the walls where they should be hung.

It’s mid-January and Tanner is back in Vegas training hard and keeping us current with his journal. His big break finally comes through on January 25th! Evan Tanner is officially signed with the UFC and fighting Yushin Okami during the Columbus, Ohio UFC 82 card!

February 3rd. Tanner writes:

I stepped up into the Octagon, under the lights, the canvas cool against the soles of my feet, the quiet of the arena echoing off row after row of empty seats. I stood there in silence, honoring all of the warriors who have stood that ground, and offering a silent prayer for those who will stand there in the future. I paid my respects to whatever gods of war may be, knowing that I would soon be standing this field again, heart pumping, blood coursing, lungs burning, ……battle raging.

Since Thursday, February 7th, Tanner is still eating well, training hard, and preparing for his battle on March 1st. I couldn’t be happier for someone who went from UFC champion to an alcoholic MMA dropout. It doesn’t hurt that the UFC needs a new middleweight contender. Perfect timing. War Evan Tanner!

You can learn more about Evan Tanner on his MySpace page, his journal, and his website.