R.I.P.
UFC Fighter Found Dead

Posted Sep 9th 2008 11:20AM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has learned former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner went missing in the California desert and his body was found yesterday.

Law enforcement tells us the 37-year-old went out into the desert near San Diego last Friday. That same day, Tanner sent a text message to a friend that he was out of water and needed help. There was a massive search that ended abruptly yesterday.

Tanner blogged last month he was going to the desert because of his friends talking about "treasure hunting and lost gold, and my own insatiable appetite for adventure and exploration." Tanner continued, "I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment could cost me my life."

Tanner's song of choice on his MySpace page was "Guaranteed" by Eddie Vedder from the movie "Into the Wild." The movie was about a guy who goes off into the wilderness against the advice of everyone he knows. Guess how it ended.

Tanner was featured on Spike TV's, "The Ultimate Fighter." He lost his last bout in June at the Ultimate Fighter 7 finale.

Cause of death is undetermined.

Filed under: R.I.P.


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1. first post

Posted at 8:56PM on Sep 8th 2008 by fdsavcxv

2. suicide?

Posted at 8:57PM on Sep 8th 2008 by fdsavcxv

3. That sucks. Wouldn't be the first time a person miscalculated how much water they'd need in the desert and paid dearly for it.

Posted at 8:59PM on Sep 8th 2008 by dd

4. yes it was

Posted at 9:00PM on Sep 8th 2008 by pick my nose

5. I doubt this is suicide, that would not be something I would expect from Tanner. Also, he tried to ask a friend for help, and a suicidal person wouldn't likely do that.

Posted at 9:04PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Jose

6. Don't screw around in the desert, kids. You'll just end up target practice for some Mexicans.

Posted at 9:12PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Happyboy

7. Anyone who follows UFC will tell you this guy is a wack job. Good fighter not great but soggy as a wet biscuit upstairs....lol Are they putting something in the energy drinks ?.....First Rampage now Evan. Who's next ??? Hope his crazy ass is ok and it turns out to be a chunk of meat he was going Rocky on....lol

Posted at 9:12PM on Sep 8th 2008 by World Of Hurts

8. A case of fatal hubris.

Posted at 9:19PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Jeff Dranetz

9. ...a mans got to know his limits.

Posted at 9:25PM on Sep 8th 2008 by harry callahan

10. They found his body, he is dead. Check google news.

RIP Evan Tanner

Posted at 9:27PM on Sep 8th 2008 by adamcanada

11. Evan has gone through alot of personal drama in the last few years. He seemed to have been fighting some inner demons. So sad.

Posted at 9:28PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Mrs. Trip Day

12. WTF! i love this guy! bummer.

Posted at 9:40PM on Sep 8th 2008 by kelleyblue

13. One less vote for John McCain

Posted at 9:41PM on Sep 8th 2008 by chicken stripper

14. I've seen quite a bit of Evan throughout his career. He seemed like a "unique" guy, but not crazy. I'm not surprised that a UFC fighter would put himself in such a dangerous situation. Hopefully it's not him though. He's far too young.

Posted at 9:45PM on Sep 8th 2008 by John Galt

15. HE WAS FROM Amarillo, Texas. My good friend there radio D.J. Dena E was good friends with him since grade school. I had the nice opportunity to meet Evan three times. HE WAS A CLASS ACT AND GREAT HEARTED PERSON. Amarillo and all his fans will greatly miss you Evan and know your smiling down upon us. "See you on the other side", Evan...

Posted at 9:48PM on Sep 8th 2008 by Jon

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