Everything Great is *Nixbased

On September 8, 2008 the world lost a great human being. The body of former UFC Middleweight and USWF Heavyweight champion Evan Tanner was discovered by a Marine helicopter in the desert-like region north of Brawley, California. According to the Imperial County sheriff’s office heat exposure was the preliminary cause of death due to temperatures that day reaching 118 degrees Fahrenheit (48C). According to www.military.com Tanner called his manager that afternoon to say that his bike had run out of gas, and that he would accordingly walk back to his camp at nightfall when the temperatures would be much lower.

This isn’t just a loss to the MMA world, it is a loss to everyone. Evan was a stand up guy that pretty much everyone liked. One of the few whom stayed a down to earth person even in the spotlight. He was an underrated fighter and sometimes seen differently than others when he didn’t fit into the confines of societies rules but whether you remember him as this guy:

Or this guy:

He will be remembered, he will be missed.

Tanner always had a way with words. He spoke with passion and kindness even in the face of adversity. From upcoming wars of will in the cage to possible battles with depression he always had something to say, even if it was a little “out there” to some. He lived life, many people forget just what that means.

Evan wasn’t your typical fighter, his reason for fighting wasn’t the money or the fame, he wanted to be heard. If you want to learn something, to take something with you from his life and let him be heard….just watch these two videos:

On Youtube you an find tribute video after tribute video, his death has hit MMA fans hard all around the world. The odd keyboard warrior such as cardicianman in the comments on this video do pop up but overall those of us who love this sport understand the gap that is left by Evan’s death. I do however wonder why these wanna-be keyboard warriors say the things they do, as if they are somehow better than former champions and all around nice guys.

I just hope Mr. Tanner is now at peace, you will be missed brother.