View source for Evan Tanner

{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter (1971–2008)}}
{{for|the fictional character created by Lawrence Block|Evan Michael Tanner}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Evan Tanner
| other_names =
| image = EvanTanner.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Tanner in 2005
| birth_name = Evan Lloyd Tanner
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1971|2|11}}
| birth_place = [[Amarillo, Texas]], US
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|2008|9|5|1971|2|11}}
| death_place = near [[Palo Verde, California]], US
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}
| weight = {{convert|185|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]] <br />[[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] <br />[[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]]
| reach = 74 in<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2335830/evan-tanner|title=Evan Tanner's Official ESPN Profile|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=June 22, 2014}}</ref>
| stance =
| team = {{plainlist|
* Hard Knocks Kickboxing<ref name="she">{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.chuteboxe-usa.com/article.php?id=88
 |title       = Chute Boxe Academy: Official Site3
 |year        = 2007
 |access-date  = August 15, 2007
|publisher   = [[Chute Boxe]]
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070921231732/http://www.chuteboxe-usa.com/article.php?id=88
 |archive-date = September 21, 2007
}}</ref>
* Team Quest
* Chute Boxe USA
* American Top Team
* USA Stars
}}
| rank = Black belt in [[Brazilian jiu-jitsu]] <small>under [[Cesar Gracie]]</small><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/evan-tanner-remembering-a-wayward-ufc-champion|title=	Evan Tanner: Remembering a Wayward UFC Champion	|date=September 8, 2018|author=Mick Hammond|publisher=mmaweekly.com}}</ref>
| years_active = 1997–2008
| mma_kowin = 12
| mma_subwin = 17
| mma_decwin = 3
| mma_koloss = 6
| mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss = 1
| mma_draw = 
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 212
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}

'''Evan Lloyd Tanner''' (February 11, 1971&nbsp;– September 5, 2008) was an American professional [[mixed martial arts]] fighter. He was a former [[UFC Middleweight Championship|UFC Middleweight Champion]] and was the first American to win the [[Pancrase]] Neo-Blood tournament in Tokyo, Japan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=132 |title=Ultimate Fighting Championship |publisher=Ufc.com |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330091605/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=132 |archive-date=March 30, 2010 }}</ref>

Tanner won the [[UFC Middleweight Championship]] at ''[[UFC 51]]'', stopping [[David Terrell (fighter)|David Terrell]] with strikes in the first round. He is considered a pioneer in the sport of [[MMA]] and one of the first fighters to use [[elbows]] as an effective [[Strike (attack)|striking]] method in the ground and pound position.

Tanner is unusual among MMA-fighters, as he began his professional career with a large degree of success despite primarily learning the sport via instructional [[videotape]]. He was also one of the first MMA fighters to use [[social media]] as a platform to connect with fans.

Tanner earned notable career victories over former [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] [[Welterweight]] [[Champion]] [[Robbie Lawler]], former King of [[Pancrase]] [[Middleweight]] and [[Welterweight]] Champion [[Kiuma Kunioku]], [[Heath Herring]], [[Paul Buentello]], [[Phil Baroni]] (x2) and [[Ikuhisa Minowa]], among others.

== Background ==
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<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=CAPROCKWRESTLING&t=c&s=htosports&p=records |title=Caprock Wrestling |publisher=hometeamsonline.com |access-date=February 14, 2011}}</ref> only entering the sport in his second year of high school. He attended [[Simpson College]] in Iowa, but dropped out when he was 19. He worked various jobs around the country as a bouncer, cable television contractor, framer building beach houses, dishwasher, baker, ditch digger, and slaughterhouse worker. He attended the [[University of Oklahoma]] for one semester before returning to Amarillo, where he entered a mixed martial arts tournament.

During his UFC career, Tanner lived in [[Portland, Oregon]] and [[Las Vegas, Nevada]]. In 2008, he relocated to [[Oceanside, California]].

== Mixed martial arts career ==

=== Early career ===
Tanner, with a wrestling background, began fighting in 1997 when he was convinced by friends to enter a local MMA tournament hosted by the now defunct Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation. He won the tournament by defeating three fighters in one night, including future UFC heavyweight contender [[Paul Buentello]].

After his initial success, Tanner taught himself submission and [[grappling]] techniques using instructional videos created by the famous [[Gracie family]]. He continued to fight in local shows and tournaments in Texas and Iowa before traveling to Japan to compete in the Pancrase organization. He won five fights overseas and competed in the USWF once more before being asked to join the UFC.

Tanner made his UFC debut in 1999 at ''[[UFC 18]]'', submitting fellow Amarillo native Darrell Gholar by [[rear naked choke]] in the first round. His next UFC fight was at ''[[UFC 19]]'' against Valerie Ignatov, who was known for leg submissions. Because of this, Tanner decided to fight barefoot for the first time in his career.

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. He returned in July 2000 and remained undefeated in the USWF, successfully defending his heavyweight belt with wins against Raoul Romero and Vinny Nixon. His next appearance was at ''[[UFC 29]]'', where he defeated [[Lance Gibson]] by [[Knockout|TKO]].

=== A new outlook on fighting ===
With three victories in the UFC, Tanner received a title shot against [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship|UFC light heavyweight champion]] [[Tito Ortiz]] at ''[[UFC 30]]''. He was knocked unconscious 32 seconds into the first round by a high level slam by Ortiz.

Tanner was invited to compete in the −88&nbsp;kg division at the 2001 [[ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship]] April 11–13, 2001 at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club in [[Abu Dhabi]], United Arab Emirates. He was defeated by [[Sanae Kikuta]] on points (6–0) in the first round.

Tanner began training with [[Oregon]]-based [[Team Quest]]. He returned to the Octagon at ''[[UFC 34]]'', defeating [[Homer Moore]] in the second round with an [[armbar]]. At ''[[UFC 36]],'' he defeated [[Elvis Sinosic]] by TKO (cut). At ''[[UFC 38]],'' he won a unanimous decision over [[Chris Haseman]] in an undercard bout. At ''[[UFC 42]],'' he lost to Rich Franklin by [[Knockout#Technical knockout|TKO]] (strikes) in the first round. After his defeat by Franklin, Tanner moved to the middleweight division, where he would be more physically imposing than many of the opponents.

=== Baroni I and II ===
Tanner faced [[Phil Baroni]] in consecutive fights at ''[[UFC 45]]'' and ''[[UFC 48]].'' In the early minutes of their fight at UFC 45, Baroni was in control, but Tanner took Baroni to the ground and landed a series of unanswered punches and elbows. After a brief verbal exchange between Baroni and referee Larry Landless, the fight was stopped and Tanner was awarded the victory. Immediately after the fight, Baroni contended that he did not submit and in the confusion struck Landless twice in the face. Baroni maintained that it was a verbal miscommunication and he never asked for the fight to be stopped. To quell the controversy, the UFC agreed to give Baroni a rematch at [[UFC 48]], which Tanner won.

=== Road to the UFC Middleweight title ===
Tanner defeated [[Robbie Lawler]] at ''[[UFC 50]]'' in October 2004, submitting Lawler with a [[triangle choke]]. Afterward, Tanner began training on his own.

He fought for the vacant UFC middleweight championship against [[David Terrell (fighter)|David Terrell]] at ''[[UFC 51]]'' in February 2005. He defeated Terrell to become the first UFC middleweight champion since [[Murilo Bustamante]] held the title before leaving for [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]] in 2002.

Tanner fought Franklin again at ''[[UFC 53]]'' in June 2005. Franklin won when the fight was stopped by the ringside doctor due to multiple cuts and swelling on Tanner's face. With the win, Franklin was named as a coach for ''[[The Ultimate Fighter 2]]'' reality television show, along with then [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] [[Welterweight]] champion [[Matt Hughes (fighter)|Matt Hughes]]. While Franklin and Hughes did not fight at the conclusion of the show, Hughes said he would have challenged Tanner for the UFC middleweight title if Tanner had been a coach on the show.

After losing the title, Tanner began training with [[American Top Team]], but lost his next fight to [[David Loiseau]] at [[UFC Ultimate Fight Night 2|Ultimate Fight Night 2]] in October 2005. 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, Tanner appeared as himself on an episode of ''[[Beyond the Glory]]'' on  ''[[FOX Sports]] '' that chronicled the history of the [[UFC]]. He also became a member of the [[Chute Boxe]] team.

Tanner returned to the UFC in April 2006 at ''[[UFC 59]]'', defeating [[Justin Levens]] in what was Tanner's last victory in MMA. Levens was a late replacement for [[Jeremy Horn]], who was forced to withdraw after a training injury.

=== 2006–08 ===
On December 29, 2006, 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. In February 2007, he announced that 12 athletes would reside in the house from six different weight classes. In a March 2007 interview with MMA Weekly, Tanner was asked about the possibility of fighting again, but said he wanted to focus on developing his foundation. He 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 Tanner would be welcomed back whenever he was ready.

On May 11, 2007, further foundation development was put on hold by Tanner, citing his own training and a bad experience with the first fighter that was invited to the house. Tanner announced through his official website that he would return to active competition and attempt to regain the UFC middleweight title.

Speculation arose that Tanner would return to the UFC in December 2007 at [[UFC 79]] against [[Dean Lister]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Stupp |first=Dann |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2007/09/03/reports-dean-lister-vs-evan-tanner-tentatively-planned-for-ufc-79/ |title=Reports: Dean Lister vs. Evan Tanner Tentatively Planned for UFC 79 |publisher=MMAjunkie.com |date=September 3, 2007 |access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref> Tanner dismissed the report as he was battling an alcohol addiction.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mrosko |first=Geno |url=http://ufcmania.com/2007/09/18/evan-tanner-drinking-not-fighting/ |title=Evan Tanner: Drinking ... not fighting – MMA Mania |publisher=Ufcmania.com |date=September 18, 2007 |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022041912/http://ufcmania.com/2007/09/18/evan-tanner-drinking-not-fighting// |archive-date=October 22, 2007 }}</ref> He left Chute Boxe and began training at Hard Knocks Kickboxing in Las Vegas.<ref name="evantanner.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.evantanner.net/news_on_the_foundation |title=evantanner.net |publisher=evantanner.net |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316115525/http://www.evantanner.net/news_on_the_foundation |archive-date=March 16, 2012 }}</ref>

On November 8, 2007, Tanner announced the signing of a four-fight deal with the UFC. He chose to accept no corporate sponsorships and instead started "Team Tanner," an exclusive fan club for his upcoming fights.<ref name="evantanner.net" />

His first fight back in the UFC was at [[UFC 82]], where he lost to Japanese fighter [[Yushin Okami]] by knockout in the second round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.FightCard&eid=1056 |title=Ultimate Fighting Championship |publisher=Ufc.com |access-date=December 14, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412015133/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=EventDetail.FightCard&eid=1056 |archive-date=April 12, 2009 }}</ref>

In what would be his final fight, Tanner lost to [[Kendall Grove]] in a split decision at [[TUF 7|The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale]] on June 21, 2008, the fifth loss in his last ten fights. In a post-match interview, he said he felt "flat" throughout the fight and that he had begun wondering if his two years of serious [[alcohol abuse]] had damaged his body past the point of which he could compete at the level he once had.<ref name="tanner_blog">Tanner, Evan. "[http://www.spike.com/blog/treasure-hunting-in/67570]", Spike.com, published August 16, 2008.</ref>

== Death ==
In the summer of 2008, Tanner announced plans for a solo trip to the Imperial County, California desert. After concerns were raised, he responded on August 27, 2008. "It seems some MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) websites have reported on the story, posting up that I might die out in the desert, or that it might be my greatest opponent yet, etc. Come on, guys. It's really common down in Southern California to go out to the off-road recreation areas in the desert about an hour away from LA and [[San Diego]]. So my plan is to go out to the desert, do some camping, ride the motorcycle, and shoot some guns. Sounds like a lot of fun to me. A lot of people do it. This isn't a version of 'Into the Wild.'"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/090908/loc_330329188.shtml |title=Ex-Caprock wrestler reported dead &#124; Lubbock Online &#124; Lubbock Avalanche-Journal |publisher=Lubbock Online |date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref>

He purchased a [[dirt bike]] and on September 3, 2008, rode into the desert region west of [[Palo Verde, California]] to go camping.<ref name=baker>Baker, Debbie. "[http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080910-9999-7s10digest.html Body in desert ID'd as UFC ex-champ Tanner] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604063023/http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20080910-9999-7s10digest.html |date=June 4, 2011 }}", The San Diego Union-Tribune, published September 10, 2008.</ref> According to his manager, John Hayner, Tanner called that afternoon to say that his bike had run out of gas and that he would walk back to his camp. This conflicted with a later report that his bike was found at his camp.<ref name=baker /> He 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. Temperatures that day reached 118&nbsp;°F (48&nbsp;°C), but in a text message to a friend, he said he thought he could make it back to his camp if he traveled during the later hours of the evening. He told friends to contact authorities if they did not hear from him by the following morning.

When friends did not hear from him the next morning, they reported Tanner missing and a search was begun.<ref name=baker /> His body was discovered near Clapp Spring with empty water bottles by a [[United States Marine Corps|Marine]] helicopter on September 8, 2008. The Imperial County coroner determined the time of death to be between late September 4 and early September 5, but the legal date of death was recorded as September 8, 2008. According to a military article, Tanner's motorcycle was at his camp and within his provisions were ample supplies of water.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/news/article/marine-corps-news/marines-find-ufc-champions-body.html?col=1186032366495 |title=Marines Find UFC Champion's Body |publisher=Military.com |date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref> The Imperial County sheriff's office gave an official cause of death as [[hyperthermia|heat exposure]].<ref name=baker />

== Aftermath ==

A [[celebration of life]] service was held in Amarillo, Texas on September 27. An informal gathering was held at a friend's house in Oceanside and attended by Tanner's sister and close friends. At dusk, a candlelight vigil was held.

The UFC honored Tanner during the [[Spike TV]] broadcast of [[UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer]] on September 17, 2008. Pancrase paid tribute to Tanner with a special ceremony during their 15th Anniversary Show on October 1, 2008. [[Shark Fights]] also honored Tanner during their inaugural event at the [[Amarillo National Center]] on October 24, 2008. The 2008 [[World MMA Awards]] show on December 31, 2008 in Las Vegas, was dedicated to Tanner's memory.

A documentary about Tanner's life, travels and philosophy, "Once I Was A Champion," was directed by Gerard Roxburgh<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onceiwasachampion.com/about-the-project.aspx |title=Evan Tanner |publisher=Once I Was a Champion |date=September 8, 2008 |access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref> and premiered in competition at the 2011 [[Los Angeles Film Festival]] as an official selection. It was nominated for "Best Documentary Feature" [https://web.archive.org/web/20110725160925/http://filmguide.lafilmfest.com/tixSYS/2011/xslguide/eventnote.php?EventNumber=3914]. The film was also an official selection at the 2011 Dallas Video Festival and the inaugural Arclight Documentary Film Festival in November 2011. It won the "Best Documentary Audience Award" at the 2011 [[Bel Air Film Festival]]. In March 2014, English film director and producer [[Bobby Razak]] released a documentary about Tanner titled "1" which looked at the circumstances surrounding Tanner's death. On June 19, 2019, [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] reported that a biopic about Tanner's life and career titled "The Power of 1" was in the works, slated to go into pre-production at the end of 2019 with principal photography planned for early 2020.

== Championships and accomplishments ==
=== Amateur wrestling ===
* ''' Texas University Interscholastic League'''
** 1988 UIL State Champion (167&nbsp;lbs)
** 1989 UIL State Champion (167&nbsp;lbs)

=== Mixed martial arts ===
* '''[[Pancrase Hybrid Wrestling]]'''
** 1998 [[Pancrase]] Neo Blood Tournament Winner<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/ |title=Pro Wrestling History |publisher=Pro Wrestling History |access-date=December 14, 2010}}</ref>
** First non-Japanese fighter to win the [[Pancrase]] Neo Blood Tournament
** First American to win the [[Pancrase]] Neo Blood Tournament
* '''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
** [[List of UFC champions#UFC Middleweight champion|UFC Middleweight Championship]] (One time)
**'''[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|UFC Encyclopedia Awards]]'''
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Fight of the Night]] (Four times) {{small|vs. [[Phil Baroni]] 1, [[Phil Baroni]] 2, [[Rich Franklin]] 2 and [[David Loiseau]]}}<ref name="UFC45">{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 203|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 208|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 218|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 221|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Knockout of the Night]] (Two times) {{small|vs. [[Phil Baroni]] 1 and [[David Terrell (fighter)|David Terrell]]}}<ref name="UFC45"/><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 211|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
***[[List_of_UFC_encyclopedia_award_recipients|Submission of the Night]] (Two times) {{small|vs. Darrel Gholar and [[Justin Levens]]}}<ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 171|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last= Gerbasi|first= Thomas|date= 2011-10-17|title= UFC Encyclopedia - The Definitive Guide to the Ultimate Fighting Championship|location= New York|publisher= DK|page= 231|isbn=978-0756683610}}</ref>
**'''UFC.com Awards'''
***2005: [[2005 in UFC#2005 UFC.com awards|Ranked #7 Fight of the Year]] {{small|vs. [[Rich Franklin]] 2}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051214101430/http://www.ufc.tv/|title=Ten Best – he Top UFC fights of 2005 (archive link no longer loading as of Dec 2024 but Gerbasi personally provided the text of the article via @tgerbasi)|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 12, 2005|quote=7 - Rich Franklin TKO 4 (3:25) Evan Tanner – June 4 – UFC 53}}</ref>
* '''Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation'''
** USWF Heavyweight Championship (One time)
** Seven successful title defenses
** First and only USWF Heavyweight Champion
** Undefeated in USWF (11–0)
* '''Extreme Challenge'''
** Heavyweight Tournament Championship (Gladiators 2)

== Mixed martial arts record ==
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 
| nc= 
| ko-wins= 12
| ko-losses= 6
| sub-wins= 17
| sub-losses= 1
| dec-wins= 3
| dec-losses= 1
| dq-wins= 
| dq-losses= 
| other-wins= 
| other-losses= 
}}
{{MMA record start}}
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 32–8
| [[Kendall Grove]]
| Decision (split)
| [[The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest Finale]]
| {{dts|2008|June|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 32–7
| [[Yushin Okami]]
| KO (knee)
| [[UFC 82]]
| {{dts|2008|March|01|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 3:00
| [[Columbus, Ohio]], United States
| {{small|[[UFC Middleweight Championship|UFC Middleweight]] title eliminator.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 32–6
| [[Justin Levens]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| [[UFC 59]]
| {{dts|2006|April|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:14
| [[Anaheim, California]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 31–6
| [[David Loiseau]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[UFC Ultimate Fight Night 2]]
| {{dts|2005|October|03|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 4:15
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
| {{small|[[UFC Middleweight Championship|UFC Middleweight]] title eliminator.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 31–5
| [[Rich Franklin]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[UFC 53]]
| {{dts|2005|June|04|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 4
| align=center| 3:25
| [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|Lost the [[UFC Middleweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 31–4
| [[David Terrell (fighter)|David Terrell]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 51]]
| {{dts|2005|February|05|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:35
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
| {{small|Won the vacant [[UFC Middleweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 30–4
| [[Robbie Lawler]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| [[UFC 50]]
| {{dts|2004|October|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:22
| [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|[[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] Middleweight title eliminator.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 29–4
| [[Phil Baroni]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 48]]
| {{dts|2004|June|19|format=mdy}}
| align=center|  3
| align=center|  5:00
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 28–4
| [[Phil Baroni]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 45]]
| {{dts|2003|November|21|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:42
| [[Uncasville, Connecticut]], United States
| {{small|Middleweight debut.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 27–4
| [[Rich Franklin]]
| TKO (punches)
| [[UFC 42]]
| {{dts|2003|April|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:40
| Miami, Florida, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 27–3
| [[Shannon Ritch]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| FCFF-Fighting Against Cancer
| {{dts|2003|February|15|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:19
| [[Portland, Oregon]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 26–3
| [[Chris Haseman]]
| Decision (unanimous)
| [[UFC 38]]
| {{dts|2002|July|13|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| London, England
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 25–3
| [[Elvis Sinosic]]
| TKO (doctor stoppage)
| [[UFC 36]]
| {{dts|2002|March|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 24–3
| [[Homer Moore]]
| Submission (armbar)
| [[UFC 34]]
| {{dts|2001|November|02|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:55
| [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 23–3
| [[Tito Ortiz]]
| KO (slam)
| [[UFC 30]]
| {{dts|2001|February|23|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:30
| [[East Rutherford, New Jersey]], United States
| {{small|For the [[UFC Light Heavyweight Championship]].}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 23–2
| [[Lance Gibson]]
| TKO (punches and elbows)
| [[UFC 29]]
| {{dts|2000|December|16|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:48
| [[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 22–2
| [[Travis Fulton]]
| Submission (triangle choke)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 18
| {{dts|2000|November|25|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:38
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 21–2
| Raoul Romero
| TKO (punches)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 17
| {{dts|2000|July|17|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 6:59
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 20–2
| Vinny Nixon
| Submission (keylock)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 14
| {{dts|1999|April|24|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:07
| [[Lubbock, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 19–2
| Leon Dijk
| TKO (knees and palm strikes)
| [[1999 in Pancrase#Pancrase – Breakthrough 4|Pancrase: Breakthrough 4]]
| {{dts|1999|April|18|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 11:39
| [[Yokohama]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19–1
| Mike Cizek
| TKO (submission to punches)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 13
| {{dts|1999|March|20|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:06
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18–1
| Valeri Ignatov
| TKO (elbows)
| [[UFC 19]]
| {{dts|1999|March|05|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:58
| [[Bay St. Louis, Mississippi]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–1
| Darrel Gholar
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| [[UFC 18]]
| {{dts|1999|January|08|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 7:57
| [[New Orleans]], Louisiana, United States
| {{small|[[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–1
| Ryushi Yanagisawa
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| [[1998 in Pancrase#Pancrase – Advance 12|Pancrase: Advance 12]]
| {{dts|1998|December|19|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:24
| [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–1
| Gene Lydick
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 12
| {{dts|1998|October|24|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:15
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–1
| [[Kiuma Kunioku]]
| Decision (lost points)
| [[1998 in Pancrase#Pancrase – 1998 Anniversary Show|Pancrase: 1998 Anniversary Show]]
| {{dts|1998|September|14|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 20:00
| [[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]], Japan
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–1
| [[Justin McCully]]
| Technical Submission (kimura)
| [[1998 in Pancrase#Pancrase – 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round|Pancrase: 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Second Round]]
| {{dts|1998|July|26|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 5:07
| [[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]], Japan
| {{small|Won the Pancrase Neo-Blood Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–1
| Kousei Kubota
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| rowspan=2|[[1998 in Pancrase#Pancrase – 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round|Pancrase: 1998 Neo-Blood Tournament Opening Round]]
| rowspan=2|{{dts|1998|July|07|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:23
| rowspan=2|[[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]], Japan
| {{small|Pancrase Neo-Blood Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–1
| [[Ikuhisa Minowa]]
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:05
| {{small|Pancrase Neo-Blood Tournament Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–1
| Tony Castillo
| TKO (knees)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 9
| {{dts|1998|June|20|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 4:06
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–1
| Dennis Reed
| Submission (triangle choke)
| rowspan=2|Gladiators 2
| rowspan=2|{{dts|1998|April|18|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:20
| rowspan=2|[[Iowa (U.S. state)|Iowa]], United States
| {{small|Extreme Challenge Heavyweight Tournament Final; won the Extreme Challenge Heavyweight Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–1
| Wade Kroeze
| TKO (knees)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:00
| {{small|Extreme Challenge Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–1
| Rusty Totty
| Submission (arm-triangle choke)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 8
| {{dts|1998|March|28|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:36
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Defended the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 6–1
| [[Heath Herring]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| rowspan=3|PSDA
| rowspan=3|{{dts|1997|November|22|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 8:20
| rowspan=3|[[Texas (U.S. state)|Texas]], United States
| {{small|PSDA Heavyweight Tournament Final.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–0
| Jesse Gonzalez
| Submission (ezekiel choke)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:15
| {{small|PSDA Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–0
| Joe Frailey
| TKO (submission to punches)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:56
| {{small|PSDA Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–0
| [[Heath Herring]]
| TKO (exhaustion)
| Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 7
| {{dts|1997|October|18|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 6:19
| [[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|Won the USWF Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–0
| [[Paul Buentello]]
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| rowspan=3|Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 4
| rowspan=3|{{dts|1997|April|12|format=mdy}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:20
| rowspan=3|[[Amarillo, Texas]], United States
| {{small|USW 4 Heavyweight Tournament Final; won the USWF 4 Heavyweight Tournament.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Gary Nabors
| Submission (keylock)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:21
| {{small|USWF 4 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Mike Kennedy
| TKO (submission to palm strikes)
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:29
| {{small|USWF 4 Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.}}
{{end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
* [https://www.myspace.com/evan_tanner Evan Tanner's myspace page]. myspace.com. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/fightfinder.asp?FighterID=212 Evan Tanner's fight record courtesy of Sherdog]. Sherdog.com. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [http://www.mmaforum.com/evan-tanner/590-evan-tanner-fighter-info.html Evan Tanner Fighter Info]. MMAforum.com. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-935045844026904532 Evan Tanner Interview 6/30/06]. MMA365. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100330091605/http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=132 UFC Fighter Page] UFC.com. Retrieved November 28, 2006.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061216202637/http://www.ultimate-fighter.ca/ufc-fighter.php?id=18 Evan Tanner Fighter Profile]. Ultimate-fighter.ca. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [http://www.ufighting.com/news.php?id=120 Evan Tanner Interview]. ufighting.com. Retrieved on November 28, 2006.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061111023838/http://www.boxinginsider.com/mma/stories/148027356.php Team Quest: As Iron Sharpens Iron]. Boxing Insider. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415034612/http://www.realfightgear.com/index.php?mod=News&start=1300&col_sort=&op=cat&id=5 Postal Connections: The Reason Evan Tanner Left Team Quest]. Real Fight Gear. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* [http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=647 Evan Tanner Post-UFC 59 Video Interview]. Sherdog. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=4254&my_page=2 Sherdog.com Preview: UFC 59 "Reality Check" Part I] Sherdog. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=2926&my_page=2 Tanner Pays Dues to Rake in Profits] Sherdog. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=2429 From Common Competitor to Middleweight Monarch] Sherdog. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* Jeff Cain. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060502014036/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=1046&zoneid=13 Breaking The Silence] MMA Weekly. Retrieved on December 3, 2006.
* Marc Wickert [https://web.archive.org/web/20070126163400/http://knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-evan_tanner.htm This Fight is Wide Open] Knuckle Pit. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
* Marc Wickert [https://web.archive.org/web/20070126163400/http://knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-evan_tanner.htm The Desert Warrior] Knuckle Pit. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
* Marc Wickert [https://web.archive.org/web/20070126163400/http://knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-evan_tanner.htm UFC's Lone Wolf] Knuckle Pit. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.
* Mick Hammond [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929091631/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=3539&zoneid=6 Evan Tanner Returns With A New Vision] MMA Weekly. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.
* Sam Caplan [https://web.archive.org/web/20070430130031/http://sportsline.com/boxing/story/10050687 Five Ounces of Pain] CBS Sportsline. Retrieved on March 18, 2007.
* [http://kennyholland.com/] Kenny and Ozone Show. Retrieved on November 8, 2007.
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.evantanner.com/ Official Site]
* [http://spike.com/profile/Evan_Tanner Official Blog]
* [https://www.myspace.com/evan_tanner MySpace]
* [http://www.amarillo.com/stories/091708/obi_obit5.shtml Obituary]
* [http://www.onceiwasachampion.com/home.aspx Official site of documentary on Tanner's life]
* {{Sherdog}}
* {{UFC|evan-tanner}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-vac|last=[[Murilo Bustamante]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=3rd [[UFC Middleweight Championship|UFC Middleweight Champion]]|years=February 5, 2005 – June 4, 2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Rich Franklin]]}}
{{end}}
{{UFC Middleweight Championship}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tanner, Evan}}
[[Category:Accidental deaths in California]]
[[Category:American male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Middleweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Amarillo, Texas]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Gresham, Oregon]]
[[Category:American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship champions]]
[[Category:American male sport wrestlers]]
[[Category:Amateur wrestlers]]
[[Category:Deaths from hyperthermia]]
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]