Mixed martial arts career Evan Tanner

1 mixed martial arts career

1.1 career
1.2 new outlook on fighting
1.3 baroni , ii
1.4 road ufc middleweight title
1.5 2006–08

mixed martial arts career
early career

tanner, wrestling background, began fighting in 1997 when convinced friends enter local mma tournament, hosted defunct unified shoot wrestling federation. tanner won tournament, defeating 3 fighters including future ufc heavyweight contender paul buentello, in 1 night.

after initial success, tanner taught himself submission , grappling techniques using instructional videos created famous gracie family. continued fight in local shows , tournaments in texas , iowa before traveling across world japan compete in pancrase organization. tanner won 5 fights overseas , competed in uswf once more before being asked join ufc.

tanner made ufc debut in 1999 @ ufc 18, submitting fellow amarillo native darrell gholar rear naked choke in first round. tanner s next fight in ufc against valerie ignatov @ ufc 19. ignatov known leg submissions , because of this, tanner decided fight barefoot first time in career, citing shoes make easier opponent gain submission.

tanner fought once more in pancrase , defended title 2 more times in uswf before deciding take first of multiple breaks fighting in career. returned action in july 2000 , remained undefeated in uswf, keeping heavyweight belt in victories on raoul romero , vinny nixon. tanner made next appearance in ufc @ ufc 29, beating lance gibson tko.

a new outlook on fighting

with 3 victories in ufc, tanner received title shot against ufc light heavyweight champion tito ortiz @ ufc 30. unfortunately, tanner suffered first ufc loss in 32 seconds, being knocked unconscious due high level slam ortiz. after defeat tanner began become more disciplined fighter.

also during time, tanner began training oregon-based team quest. returned octagon @ ufc 34, taking on homer moore, whom stopped in second round armbar. @ ufc 36 defeated elvis sinosic tko (cut), , @ ufc 38 won unanimous decision on chris haseman in unaired undercard bout. in next fight, @ ufc 42, faced rich franklin. defeated tko (strikes) in first round.

after loss franklin, tanner decided frame not large enough light heavyweight, prompting decision drop middleweight, more physically imposing many of opponents in division.

baroni , ii

upon becoming middleweight, tanner faced phil baroni in consecutive fights @ ufc 45 , ufc 48 respectively. both of bouts between 2 had share of controversy. in minutes of fight @ ufc 45, baroni in control stunned , bloodied tanner. however, tanner able regain composure , take baroni ground threw series of unanswered punches , elbows. after brief verbal exchange between baroni , referee larry landless fight stopped , tanner awarded victory.

immediately after fight, baroni contended did not submit , in confusion struck landless in face twice. baroni maintained verbal miscommunication , never asked fight stopped. quell controversy, ufc agreed give baroni rematch @ ufc 48.

their matchup @ ufc 48 showed tanner clear-cut victor. noted many times during broadcast baroni did not himself. after fight, baroni stated game plan prevent fatigue in earlier rounds pacing himself.

road ufc middleweight title

after winning these fights, tanner victorious third time in middleweight division against robbie lawler @ ufc 50, submitting him triangle choke. shortly after lawler fight, tanner left team quest , began training on own.

because of success, tanner given shot @ vacant ufc middleweight championship against david terrell @ ufc 51. despite being underdog, tanner fought out of deep guillotine choke cesar gracie student , black belt when tanner looked clinch. went on control terrell on ground against cage in half guard, delivering punches , elbows until referee herb dean stopped fight in final seconds of first round. tanner became first ufc middleweight champion since murilo bustamante held title before leaving pride fighting championships in 2002.

tanner next given opportunity avenge loss rich franklin @ ufc 53, had decided drop down middleweight division after fighting light heavyweight years. tanner able knock franklin down right hand in first round of bout franklin took control there, dominating tanner until fight stopped ringside doctor.

tanner s fight against franklin @ ufc 53 proved decide winner of fight 1 of coaches ultimate fighter 2 reality show. tanner had expressed great deal of interest in being 1 of coaches, stating opportunity give him tremendous exposure. franklin subsequently became coach on show along ufc welterweight champion matt hughes.

after losing title, tanner began training american top team, lost next fight david loiseau @ ultimate fight night 2. tanner ahead on points until fight stopped in second round due cut tanner received loiseau elbow. after defeat, tanner took time away deal personal issues stated become official member of chute boxe team.

tanner returned ufc in april 2006 @ ufc 59, defeating justin levens way of triangle choke in tanner s last victory in mma. levens late replacement jeremy horn scheduled fight tanner forced withdraw after training injury.

2006–08

on december 29, 2006, tanner unveiled plans set mixed martial arts training camp located @ house in gresham, oregon. focus setting home disadvantaged athletes , young men @ risk. tanner travelled las vegas gresham in following weeks , began set project. tanner remodeled , refurnished house fit athletes live in.

in february 2007, tanner announced further details foundation. twelve athletes reside in house 6 different weight classes. (heavyweight, light heavyweight, middleweight, welterweight, lightweight , featherweight).

in march 2007 interview mma weekly, tanner asked possibility of fighting again indicated wanted focus on developing foundation. however, did hint training year-round athletes coaching , might matter of time before returned. ufc president dana white interviewed cbs sportsline 1 week later , stated tanner welcomed whenever ready.

on may 11, 2007, further foundation development put on hold tanner, citing own training , bad experience first fighter invited house. tanner announced through official website return active competition , continue quest regain ufc middleweight title.

rumours stated tanner make return ufc in december 2007 @ ufc 79 against dean lister, represent american chute boxe team. report dismissed tanner, did not have upcoming fight dean lister, , continuing battle alcohol problems. furthermore, stated things had not worked out american chute boxe , no longer trained them. started training @ hard knocks kickboxing in las vegas.

on november 8, 2007, tanner announced signing of new 4-fight deal ufc. in addition signing ufc tanner revealed intended accept no corporate sponsorships in favour of starting team tanner intended exclusive fan club represented in upcoming fights.

his first fight in ufc @ ufc 82, lost japanese fighter yushin okami , knocked out knee head clinch position, in second round.

in final fight, tanner lost kendall grove in split decision @ ultimate fighter 7 finale on june 21, 2008. makes tanner s fifth loss in last ten fights.

in post-match interview, tanner stated felt flat throughout fight , had begun wondering if 2 years of serious alcohol abuse had damaged body past point in no longer compete @ level once had.