I have been a long-time Evan Tanner fan and have documented some if his struggles here at MMA HQ over the past few years.
Most recently it appeared that Evan was getting back into the MMA scene and had moved down to California to train with the Chute Boxe team there. Rumors began to surface that Tanner would return at UFC 76, and then that he would return at UFC 79. Well, Last week Evan stated that he was never offered any fights with the UFC, that his training with Chute Boxe didn’t work out and that he hasn’t spoken to Joe Silva or Dana White in quite sometime.
Yesterday, Evan posted his most recent public soul-bearing update to his personal website. Regardless of whether or not he ever fights again in Mixed Martial Arts, I hope Evan can get his life together and find the personal peace and success that he is searching for.
I am setting a date.
I have been drinking like a madman for fifteen years.
I am done with it.
I am setting a date.
It has ruined my career. It has ruined my health. I have lost the respect of my peers. I have lost my family. I have lost so many friends. I have lost the women I have loved. I have been arrested, wrecked cars, spent nights in jail, gotten in fights, gambled and drunk away hundreds of thousands of dollars, raged like a beast, talked like a fool. I lost my home, gone deep into debt, ruined my credit, and now I’m at risk of losing the last few things I own. I have destroyed my life. All because of drinking. I have made so many mistakes. I have disappointed so many who believed in me. Embarrassed so many who loved me. Almost everything bad that can be said about a man, has been said about me.
I am done with it.
I am setting a date.
There will be those of you who understand me, who will hear me. There will be those who laugh, and ridicule. I am willing to bear the weight of that if any of these words might reach anyone, might have meaning to anyone, if this vision might give hope to anyone.
I choose to Believe
I will always believe there is some magic out there. I will always believe there is some magic within me. If we stop believing, our spirits die. I refuse to let my spirit die.
I choose to Believe.
I am setting a date.
I am setting a date, and on that day I will stop drinking. That will be the day I begin to be a better man. That will be the day I begin to find the best of me. That will be the day I begin to find the best of what life can be. I want to find the magic. Join me. If you want to make a change in your life, join me. If any of you want to find the best of yourself, join me. If you want to find your own magic, join me. I am going to quit drinking, get back into training, and step into the Octagon again, and when I do, it will be dedicated to all of you who have the courage to believe in the best of what you can be, all of you who have the courage to stand up with me and face your fears and weaknesses. We will stand shoulder to shoulder, an unconquerable army. BELIEVE in what you can do, and it will happen.
I am setting a date.
It has been said that I am done, that I will never fight again. It has been said that I have no chance of ever being a champion again. I refuse to accept that. I challenge you to believe in yourself. I challenge you to do what they say can not be done. Join this army of unconquerable souls.
I choose to believe.
I am setting a date.
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Amber
eric
capt.ADK'er
Yael Grauer
itzFORT
Singh is King
Fizzlesticks
WTFH
Studog
addictions are hard to over come i hope him the best in his fight for sobriety
IM AN ALCHEY… I KNOW EXACTLY HOW HE FEELS…. HAVE FAITH TANNER
I hope he can change his life back around. I was a fan of Evan’s also so I wish him the best. It would be great to see him compete again hope he gets rid of the inner demons and comes back.
ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT IS HE IS BIGHTING ON IN THAT PICTURE?
[quote comment="9933"]ANYONE KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT IS HE IS BIGHTING ON IN THAT PICTURE?[/quote]
I think its some kind of fish guts or fish chum bait
I know a guy named Rob Richardson, he is a MMA buddy of mine we watch the shows with a bunch of other guys sometimes…. he was HOOOOOKED on Meth and Alcohol, his wife like… hated him, kids hated him, he lost EVERYTHING…. he went to church and found Jesus, quit doing it like, 2 months later, never picked up any of that stuff since…. crazy, no 10 step programs, no AA, no drug rehab…. his marriage is great, they just got a new house, he actually can hold down a freaking job now… pretty amazing.. maybe Tanner needs God, cause believing in “himself” and setting “dates” doesn’t seem to be working for him, I mean I am not judging, I am not without my vices, but he seems pretty desperate…
[quote comment="9938"]maybe Tanner needs God, cause believing in “himself” and setting “dates” doesn’t seem to be working for him, I mean I am not judging, I am not without my vices, but he seems pretty desperate…[/quote]
im not a religious by any means, im not even sure i believe there is such a thing as “God” but i do know one thing and that is God, your wife, your mother, nobody can help you unless you help yourself. i dont want to see Evan Tanner get better and fix his life for his fans or friends i want to see Evan Tanner get better and fix his life for Evan Tanner.
I wish him the best. I would advise him not to set dates, and just do it. Do it now. No time limits. If you can’t drop the instant you decide you’re going to stop you will fail. Get a friend and go through the house and throw it all in the garbage every last bottle, hell even the rubbing alcohol. Surround yourself with family and friends and never touch it again. Good luck Mr. Tanner…you’ll need it.
EVAN TANNER IS BACK IN THE UFC!
Evan Tanner announces UFC come back
Former middleweight champion Evan Tanner has announced on the Kenny & Ozone radio show that he’s signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC. Listen to Tanner’s exclusive radio interview today and find out when he’s hoping to get back in the ring.
[quote comment="11220"]EVAN TANNER IS BACK IN THE UFC!
Evan Tanner announces UFC come back
Former middleweight champion Evan Tanner has announced on the Kenny & Ozone radio show that he’s signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC. Listen to Tanner’s exclusive radio interview today and find out when he’s hoping to get back in the ring.[/quot
havent we heard this before?
I think the MMA’s world has lost one of a kind. I followed Evan’s path since his first appearance in the UFC. An amazing fighter! A man of great courage and determination inside, and must likely outside the octagon too. He will be missed.
My sympathy goes out to all his family members, as well as to his fans around the world. What a terrible lost.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
See you there Evan.
The King,
Alan Brito Oxidao.
How can you guys make fun of someone for this? He’s going out into the desert to do exactly what we’re all genetically programmed to do… survive. Really survive. I’m not talking about playing world of warcraft in mommy’s basement and going to your crappy office job. Evan is going out to further define himself as a man.
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Bobwilliams
@bobwilliams
This thread was from like a year ago, long before the “desert thing” happened with Tanner. Plus, nobody here made fun of Tanner either.. so i really dont understand why you felt the need to go on a little rant about world of warcraft and all that.
Anyways, i DO agree with your points about Tanner, he was a mans man, though i wasnt really a fan of his as a fighter i had alot of respect for him as a person.