44 Facts About Evan Tanner

Evan Lloyd Tanner was an American professional mixed martial arts fighter.

Evan Tanner was a former UFC Middleweight Champion and was the first American to win the Pancrase Neo-Blood tournament in Tokyo, Japan.

Evan Tanner is considered a pioneer in the sport of MMA and one of the first fighters to use elbows as an effective striking method in the ground and pound position.

Evan Tanner is considered to be somewhat of an anomaly in MMA as he began his professional career with a large degree of success despite primarily learning the sport via instructional videotape.

Evan Tanner was one of the first MMA fighters to use social media as a platform to connect with fans.

Evan Tanner earned notable career victories over former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler, former King of Pancrase Middleweight and Welterweight Champion Kiuma Kunioku, Heath Herring, Paul Buentello, Phil Baroni and Ikuhisa Minowa, among others.

Evan Tanner was born in Amarillo, Texas, and graduated in 1989 from Caprock High School, where he won the Texas state championship in wrestling as a junior and senior despite only entering the sport in his second year of high school.

Evan Tanner attended Simpson College in Iowa, but dropped out when he was 19.

Evan Tanner worked various jobs around the country as a bouncer, cable television contractor, framer building beach houses, dishwasher, baker, ditch digger, and slaughterhouse worker.

Evan Tanner attended the University of Oklahoma for one semester before returning to Amarillo, where he entered a mixed martial arts tournament.

Evan Tanner won the tournament by defeating three fighters in one night, including future UFC heavyweight contender Paul Buentello.

Evan Tanner continued to fight in local shows and tournaments in Texas and Iowa before traveling to Japan to compete in the Pancrase organization.

Evan Tanner won five fights overseas and competed in the USWF once more before being asked to join the UFC.

Evan Tanner made his UFC debut in 1999 at UFC 18, submitting fellow Amarillo native Darrell Gholar by rear naked choke in the first round.

Evan Tanner fought once more in Pancrase and defended his title two more times in the USWF before deciding to take the first of multiple breaks from fighting in his career.

Evan Tanner returned in July 2000 and remained undefeated in the USWF, successfully defending his heavyweight belt with wins against Raoul Romero and Vinny Nixon.

Evan Tanner was knocked unconscious 32 seconds into the first round by a high level slam by Ortiz.

Evan Tanner was defeated by Sanae Kikuta on points in the first round.

Evan Tanner returned to the Octagon at UFC 34, defeating Homer Moore in the second round with an armbar.

Evan Tanner faced Phil Baroni in consecutive fights at UFC 45 and UFC 48.

Evan Tanner defeated Robbie Lawler at UFC 50 in October 2004, submitting Lawler with a triangle choke.

Evan Tanner fought for the vacant UFC middleweight championship against David Terrell at UFC 51 in February 2005.

Evan Tanner defeated Terrell to become the first UFC middleweight champion since Murilo Bustamante held the title before leaving for PRIDE Fighting Championships in 2002.

Evan Tanner fought Franklin again at UFC 53 in June 2005.

Evan Tanner was ahead on points until the fight was stopped in the second round due to a cut received from a Loiseau elbow.

Shortly after this fight, Evan Tanner appeared as himself on an episode of Beyond the Glory on FOX Sports that chronicled the history of the UFC.

Evan Tanner became a member of the Chute Boxe team.

Evan Tanner returned to the UFC in April 2006 at UFC 59, defeating Justin Levens in what was Evan Tanner's last victory in MMA.

On December 29,2006, Evan Tanner unveiled plans to set up a mixed martial arts training camp at his house in Gresham, Oregon for disadvantaged athletes and young men at risk.

Evan Tanner said he would be training year-round with the athletes he was coaching and that it might only be a matter of time before he returned.

UFC president Dana White was interviewed by CBS Sportsline one week later and said Evan Tanner would be welcomed back whenever he was ready.

On May 11,2007, further foundation development was put on hold by Evan Tanner, citing his own training and a bad experience with the first fighter that was invited to the house.

Evan Tanner announced through his official website that he would return to active competition and attempt to regain the UFC middleweight title.

Evan Tanner dismissed the report as he was battling an alcohol addiction.

Evan Tanner left Chute Boxe and began training at Hard Knocks Kickboxing in Las Vegas.

On November 8,2007, Evan Tanner announced the signing of a four-fight deal with the UFC.

Evan Tanner chose to accept no corporate sponsorships and instead started "Team Tanner," an exclusive fan club for his upcoming fights.

Evan Tanner's first fight back in the UFC was at UFC 82, where he lost to Japanese fighter Yushin Okami by knockout in the second round.

In what would be his final fight, Evan Tanner lost to Kendall Grove in a split decision at The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale on June 21,2008, the fifth loss in his last ten fights.

Evan Tanner purchased a dirt bike and on September 3,2008, rode into the desert region west of Palo Verde, California to go camping.

Evan Tanner reportedly intended to refill his water bottles at Clapp Spring before heading back to his campsite, but was unaware that the spring was usually dry.

Evan Tanner told friends to contact authorities if they did not hear from him by the following morning.

Evan Tanner's body was discovered near Clapp Spring with empty water bottles by a Marine helicopter on September 8,2008.

In March 2014, English film director and producer Bobby Razak released a documentary about Evan Tanner titled "1" which looked at the circumstances surrounding Evan Tanner's death.