I had the great priveledge of knowing Evan personally. I was one of his trainers, friends, and companions. I witnessed first hadn his greatness, his struggles, his laughter , and his tears. I miss him every day. He is still greatly missed

I miss Evan. He inspired me because of of his courage to face his flaws head on. RIP! Always my hero!!

Evan was a great man. He rsponded to all emails from this fan. He was robbed of his last fight. I pray that he is in Heaven starting his own MMA camp.

I will remember Evan as a 16 year old ready to go at whatever the cost. Ivan Koloph the Russian Bear (as we called him) a warrior who brought inspiration to many (often in under six minutes).

EVAN TANNER WAS AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN THE BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP. YOU WILL BE MISSED EVAN. I WILL SEE YOU WHEN MY TIME COMES TO TAKE THE LEAP OF FAITH

When I first got into the ufc Evan Tanner was the middleweight champ at the time. I idolized him...and was torn apart when I heard of his death. I cried for a while when I heard, stupid I know, but he will be missed by all true fans of the sport. His beliefs and ideals will live on forever. I hope you're doing well wherever you are. -Cartoon Autopsy

I never got the privilege to ever meet Evan in person but read his blogs on SpikeTV.com about his adventures. It is now Friday Sept. 12, 2008....4 days after Evan's death and I am still in shock. He was such an inspirational person who lived his life to its fullest...and for that he will always be remembered. Everyone should live their life to its fullest & live everyday like its their last because you never know what could happen. You will definitely continue to inspire many people Evan. Although you are no longer with us physically, you will always remain and live on in the memories & in the hearts of all who knew & loved you. "Believe in the Power of One" R.I.P. Evan Tanner.....You will be missed...Gone But Never Forgotten

I heard about you from a MMA fan, never saw you fight, but read your blog, never saw you in person, but heard enough to know that you had the power to inspire. I cried, when I heard. RIP: You continue to inspire.

i think that mma will never be the same the without his present, just all around a class act, just watching this video you would never think his really gone, for me it 's just unreal, watching him fight his way to the top and the times he fell down made me admire this man, the way he took defeat or victory, was amazing, so respectful, humble, kind, and polite, like no other fighter before him. growing up watching him fight, made me think the nice guys can whip some ass(becoming CHAMP..) the ufc was extremely lucky having this man being able to fight in their organization, thus making it one the most famous fight organization, i think a tribute is in order for the rememberance of this warrior who put his everything in the ring or octogon, i remember him saying that some of his victory he felt were won by luck, i feel that in this life there is no such thing, just chance and those brave enough to gamble everything on the line, no any different from most fighters, just the way he took defeat as well as he took the victorys, setting him aside from the rest of the pack. i think mma community will fill this devasting blow around the world for years to come. i would like to see some of his teachings in these new fighters, like helping the man who they just defeated up to their feet always staying humble in victory's lane, alway remembering we are brothers in this family of fighters, learning from one to the another. alway constanly fighting opponents or inner demons this brave man was nearly undefeated. to those new fighter you will never reach that legendary status without being noble in defeat or victory,as evan did so. i hope thoses who defeated or defeated by evan spread his teaching humbleness. it's so sad to lose someone that you never knew, but grew up watching feeling as if you really knew them, and admiring from far. those who are dead are only dead because they forgotten, you alway be king of champions in the hearts,souls,and minds of your true fans, i wish you could read this while you still were breathing "champ". the small tragedy of all this, is that you didn't know or hear what you meant to the sport or us strangers. seeing battle your foes or demons, we are all richer to seen you battle in that octogon or just in life, but those who were truly blessed were the one who got to train with you mr tanner(CHAMP)....i write to you mr tanner as if you were still here able to hear me one insignificant fan of yours, i know your gone, (fishing with jesus) but i do this more for your family,friends,and fans hoping this touches one of your hearts. i think the fighter need to blog more, because, for one he's pretty much the one who started it talking about the ups and downs in his life made me feel as if i knew him like a friend, and mornning the feeling like i lost good friend, these are the bonds that fighters need to make with their fans and grow as great noble people. to his family, so so sorry for your great lost, you are the real winners by having him in your life and to have known him all along. so sorry for everything, (sorry so long, just had to get everything out,no hold back, tanner stlye allout) if i could say any to mr tanner it would be,"hey champ put jesus in a good armbar"....... 1insignificant fan.....george olivas fontana,sol calif.

We'll never forget you!!!Great fighter and good man!!!

Nobody could question your heart. Even in your last day you pushed yourself through the limit. Now I believe in the power of one

Seeing you with that belt around your waist knowing that you were self-trained and you came in with all odds against you. I remember how good respectful of a fighter you were, a class act all the way. You blessed MMA with your heart and peaceful soul. I know the lord will have many adventures awaiting you.....god rest your soul

Good fighter and great man! Enjoy the longest adventure, you will be missed around the world by fight fans. Respect to you

I loved watching u fight rest in peace big guy

I loved watching u fight rest in peace big guy

I lost track of the UFC over time but read the story about Evan and his time away from the ring which really caught my attention. Both back to the UFC and to the way one can live his life. It makes me sad to hear about this tragedy and send my condolences to family and friends. Evan was not only a great fighter but in my opinion an inspiration as a human being. He will be missed!

Evan Tanner a true warrior and an exciting fighter i never met him but saw almost all of his fights! my condolences to his family and friends

Evan was one of the MOST exciting fighters to enter the CAGE. With a heart of a Gladiator and a true love for competition I will surely miss you my friend. You gave MMA a thrill whenever you fought. Your sportsmanship was amongst the best I've seen as well. You always made everyone proud to be around you and blessed to have known you. So REST my friend. God has many battles ahead for you.

I never met Evan but i came across his blog only a few short months ago. Reading about his outlook and life experiences really struck a chord within me and i very much enjoyed reading his blog on Spike. I got a great deal from reading it, and it changed my way of living life a little, for the better. Life is an adventure, thats how i will live my life now and just try to be happy, and to be the change i wanto to see in the world. RIP Evan Tanner i will miss reading about your adventures, i cant believe it, but goodbye and thanks.

Hi all, Chris here.... Very sad time in MMA history.... Ive never had the chance to meet Evan, (watched him in fights) I wished i could have met him though.. This is a great lost for all of us and my deepest condolences go out to his family, friends and his fans.... "I Truly Believe"..... Chris C.

I haven't cried in 10 years... this sucks so bad...you will never be forgotten Evan Tanner.. peace

Evan has always been a great fighter, and a former champion. Always putting on an exciting fight, Evan gave us such great displays when he beat the likes of Phil Baroni, Elvis Sinosic Robbie Lawler and even David Terrell for his championship. Even his losses such as his war with Rich Franklin and even his last fight with Kendall Grove will be remembered. Evan was also an adventurer, although most of us only heard tales of his many different jobs and wanderers lifestyle. Evan's words are a source of direction, that many of us find hard to find in our modern day. There are few of his fans that could say with honest, that they wouldn't have wised to have gone on one of Evan's adventures. Lastly, as many know, Evan Tanner was a man who battled with demons and conquered them. He battled with alcoholism but managed to overcome it, something that a lesser man would have never been able to do. He managed to return to fighting at 37, something that must have taken incredible dedication. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Evan Tanner, you will be missed.

PeAcE xoXxXox

RIP Evan, I really liked watching you fight, win or lose. You always put on a great show. I wish I could have met you, from what these people say and from what I read you were and are truly a great person.

This is the exact reason to NEVER go into remote areas of the desert alone. ALWAYS travel with two vehicles. If he would have stayed near his motorcycle, he would have been found, ALIVE. Even was a tough dude, but nobody is tougher than the desert southwest. Lives are claimed every year. If this happens to to anyone, remember this: Stay with your vehicle. If you must travel, do so at night ONLY! Even could have burned his motorcycle to get attention.

evan tanner lived life through the fullest he is a spartan

evan tanner lived life through the fullest he is a spartan

I cried for four straight hours yesterday. Now back from work, sitting in front of my computer and overwhelmed with sadness all over again. Evan was my very first FAVORITE fighter. He is the reason I started watching mma. I've followed his career and his personal journeys thru this blogs over the years and had found him to be one of the most intelligent, gentle, adventurous old souls in the sport. Nobody comes close to having a heart like his. He was a true warrior. Evan was and always been GOLDEN to me. My heart breaks at OUR loss.

I will always remember the conversations we shared & the wisdom you taught me. Through the ups and downs of your life, you always had a positive impact on everyone around you...no matter how hard things got. I miss you. I will miss seeing your face and hearing about your latest journeys through life. "This is the end....my beautiful friend" May your spirit fly high and your soul live throughout eternity. One love.

I was a very angry confused newly divorced young man fightin on the streets of las vegas you showed me how to control all that negative energy and you helped me become the posative person i am today

Sometimes the prophets and mystics of this life must make an early exit so that their message will have the full impact that it was intended to. Evan WAS a mystic and I hope his lesson's of freedom of mind and body to experience every glorious detail of life has been reliazed by all of those whose life he has touched. The great ones always leave us early. Thanks for the insight. Good luck on the greatest adventure of all my brother!!

r.i.p my brother.. i miss you...

died with his boots on, the man's way: enjoying the ride--books, songs, love, and experience it all to the extreme! blessings to all those who cared for him... hope you are an inspiration to all those armchair warriors, evan, and that you found what you were looking for.

In are hearts forever, Your always the king. WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU

Tanner had class to share.....always humble in victory....nice guy all around....you will be missed A fan from Costa Rica

RIP Evan, he was on the the Pioneers in the Sport, Paving the way for all future MMA fighters to come, he was one of the first true mix martial artist, leanring jiu jitsu from instrcutoinal tape and later adding boxing to his arsenal. His classic battles in the UFC were inpressive, but to me his battles outside the ring and cage were more impressive and tougher than any other man hes faced. a very intelligent person and fighter, a free spirit and a friendly guy, he will be missed. RIP Evan!

R.I.P YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE....

what a shock and such a great fighter to lose r i p evan

RIP Brother. You did it "Your Way". ~TGO

R.I.P. may your soul wander whereever it chooses now you've earned it

We loved watching you fight. You were an imposing figure with a heart of gold. Rest in peace...

Wow you were taken away too soon. God Bless you:)

Your beard was thicker than most peoples hair. It was and is still, the standard for which I grade and measure my own facial hair growth. A week or 2 of self-neglect on my own part, is easily portrayed to others merely as a man fickle about his image. There's the clean cut, strong jawed handsome man look; or the food-on-face, "been through alot" outdoorsman, who at any time, could "clean up really well" and shock the girlfriends parents. Growing that sort of beard only works if you do it believing in something. Most people see you growing a beard and say "at least shave the neck part". Not you. Not me. We say to them, "and what? put on some dress shirt with cologne and next week shave it into a goatee?" Bye evan, in all seriousness, even though this is the most impersonal, un-prayer like medium for prayers, i love who you were to me: a guy i don't know...who is kicking peoples asses, writing poetry, exploring the world, doing things for purpose instead of money or glory, doing your own thing and letting everyone else do theirs. all with either long hair, cornrows, or a kick ass beard

Im a big fan.. i was kinda hopin for a comeback.. rest in peace MMA fans will miss you

"I've looked at Kendall's fights. From what I can tell, he doesn't like pressure. He likes to get out there and dance a little bit; kind of more laid back, more slower-paced fight. The guys that really pressure him hard do real well against him so that's really what I'm looking to do," stated former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner as he talked about his upcoming clash with Kendall Grove at The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale. Check out what else he had to say as he talks more about the fight and r

God must've had something very important if you had to be called up so early. You may be gone, but you WON'T be forgotten...