RIP Evan Tanner 1971 – 2008
By Brandt DeLorenzo on Sep 09, 2008
The UFC has released an official statement regarding the death of UFC middleweight fighter Evan Tanner. Tanner was recently found dead at his campsite after he left for an extended camping stay and did not return text messages to concerned friends.
On what will unquestionably be remembered as one of mixed martial arts’ saddest days, former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner – beloved by fans for his fighting ability and by friends for his free spirit – has passed away at the age of 37.
RIP Evan Tanner. You were a great fighter and many people said you were a great person as well.
Comments (8)
Get 1 Now
Get Free Gear
Evan was a great guy with alot of insight into the sport and alot of ability.
He will be missed.
Rest in peace.
You were a great sportsman.
Go with god.
RIP, champ. It sucks to see you go, but you’ll always remain in our hearts…
I got to know Evan when he worked out at Team Quest in Gresham Oregon around 2002 to 2005 or so. I was in my late 40′s; a former mediocre kick boxer and even worse grappler. But I had my in. My son Trevor was an accomplished 11 year old wrestler when he joined Team Quest in 2002 but there were no other kids then so he worked out with the rest of us. All 105 pounds of him.
Occasionally Trevor and I got to roll with Evan. For me it was an immense pleasure to work out with someone of his caliber, and though I’m sure Evan never got anything out of it he was always smiling, always having a good time with it.
Sometimes I would just sit and watch my son spar and grapple, and he too had that same smiling face that Evan had. It was as if life had completely filled their bodies and was pouring out by smiling while doing something that most people would grimace. No doubt that these guns were really enjoying every moment.
Trevor died August 11, 2005.
There is something in this life that I can’t define, can’t organize words around.
That somehow there are those who were destined not to live a long life, but to have the opportunity to pack in so many experiences, so many accomplishments that they just couldn’t be here any longer. If you knew my son and if you knew Evan, I believe you would catch a glimpse of what I cannot articulate.
So Evan, where ever you are at and if you can, track down that son of mine. He would love to see that smile again.
Tom Palmer
I liked everything I knew about Tanner. There are many fighters I respect, but few I really connect with. It is always fun to root for a guy who dances to his own tune. Being that kind of person myself, and seeing so many go down young, sometimes I wonder if I won’t find myself dead early, too. Piss on the boring existence, give me life.
RIP
Evan was one of the best not just because of his abilitys but because of his heart i am really blessed i got to meet evan personally and get my photograph with him it is my main profile pic on my myspace page check it out. R.I.P. Evan Tanner
damn it all……… I never got to meet him damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!