Tanner Possibly Retiring

[Gurry]

Posted not too long ago on his blog on spike.com

I'M DONE, I'M RETIRING
It was a long walk back to the dressing room after the fight. The doctor was there waiting on me, telling me I had to go to the hospital to get a CAT scan and stitches, letting me know they were giving me a medical suspension of 45 days. I was in no mood for that, and I know I was rude about it. I’ve known him for a while, but I don’t think I ever got his name. If he happens to read this, I would like to offer him my sincerest apology for my disrespectful behavior.

I was pissed off about the fight, f**king sad, f**king raging, on edge, all of it heavy with me, trying to maintain, trying not to explode. Camera men in my face, corner men, doctors, security, paramedics, friends, journalists, too many bodies crowding me, too many hands pulling me too many ways. I couldn't move, I couldn't breath, standing there afraid of the man that would come out if I lost control. I broke free, turned my back, stepped into the bathroom and closed the door. I tried to catch my breath in that small space, tried to calm down.

I took a moment to myself, then stepped out, talked to who I needed to talk to, signed what needed to be signed, and handled what needed to be handled.

The dressing room cleared, and I had another moment to myself. I was there gathering my things when Brad walked around the corner with a small hand held video camera. He understood where I was, and respectfully asked if he could have a moment to ask a few questions. I've known Brad for a little while. He's always seemed like a good guy. I had no idea where to footage would be used, there are so many cameras all the time. I wasn't paying so much attention to the camera. It was more like I was talking to a friend. I guess that's the footage that's been out on the internet. I haven't seen it.

Losing sucks. It’s been pretty tough the last couple of days. I’ve been keeping to myself. I haven’t felt like talking with anyone. I haven't seen anything about the fight. I know I looked really bad. I don’t need to see it, or hear about it to know that. I’ve been having some serious health problems for a while now. They’ve caused me some problems in my daily life and have seriously affected my training. I obviously haven’t been the same guy in the ring.

I’m going to be taking a little time off to see a doctor. If we can’t get this health issue figured out, I’m done, I’m retiring. I don’t want to step back into the Octagon unless I’m 100%, and I can give the fans the type of fight they deserve to see.

I don’t see it coming to that though. Tomorrow I’m hopping on the bike, and riding up to Oregon to visit the good doctor. I’ve got a good feeling about things.

I’ll be posting up pictures from Saturday night in the next couple of days, and I’ll definitely be telling the story of the motorcycle trip to Oregon.

hopefully he can get his helath better, and he can come back, if he duznt itlll be hard to watch this dude go like that. I only wish the best to this guy and hope everything works out.... War TANNER FOR LIFE....

[Brutus]

Reading that brought to mnd what a broken man feels like. He seems just to be so sad and realizing that he is prolly at the end of his rope as a fighter doesnt help. I feel bad for the guy and I hope his health is good and he lives happy for a while. Gurry you got it right, WAR TANNER FOR LIFE

[Badluck_33]

Yeah last two fights weren't of the same tanner we all saw from back in the day. I mean c'mon he made Kendall Grove look good.

Well lets hope he does get his health in order and come back. You cant help but to always root for this guy. Inside and outside the ring he is a class act. Even if his fighting isn't up to par, I still like him.

War Tanner 4Life is right.

[jrube]

I think something is missing in his life, and he needs to take a knee and look up to find it...

I am a Tanner fan, and really hate to hear about him being like this....

[mauladala]

There should be a play or a screenplay written about his life. No disrespect to Mamet, but fuck Redbelt and made up Balboa-esque stories about mma. You've got a real tragic hero right there in Evan Tanner- perfect subject for a book or movie. I'd love to read an autobiography (he hasn't written one yet has he?) by him and/or see his life/career memorialized in film or theater.


Edit: And it sucks if he retires- esp. if it's because of health issues. Ouch. I feel he could compete in EliteXC easily. Maybe Zuffa could think about sending him to the WEC. I don't think he would win the belt though. Condit would own him.

[Badluck_33]

Originally Posted by mauladala

There should be a play or a screenplay written about his life. No disrespect to Mamet, but fuck Redbelt and made up Balboa-esque stories about mma. You've got a real tragic hero right there in Evan Tanner- perfect subject for a book or movie. I'd love to read an autobiography (he hasn't written one yet has he?) by him and/or see his life/career memorialized in film or theater.

I feel the exact same way. He has had an adventure leading up to his career in the UFC.

[Gurry]

Originally Posted by mauladala

There should be a play or a screenplay written about his life. No disrespect to Mamet, but fuck Redbelt and made up Balboa-esque stories about mma. You've got a real tragic hero right there in Evan Tanner- perfect subject for a book or movie. I'd love to read an autobiography (he hasn't written one yet has he?) by him and/or see his life/career memorialized in film or theater.

For sure, evan tanner is one of the two fighters, who not many casual care about, that i wanna know there life story. The other being shonie carter(after meeting him u learn how intersting his life really is). I really hope somehow tanner can get his life back on track, im upset that ill never see tanner raise his hands in triumph, but im sure there isnt anybody who wuldnt mind having the fighter with the most Triangle choke finishes training at there camp. Come to Xtreme Couture Toronto, and ill sign up (even if its a $100 a month)

[mauladala]

Originally Posted by Badluck_33

I feel the exact same way. He has had an adventure leading up to his career in the UFC.

Seriously! His life is as tailor-made for a biopic or biography as I've seen. I'm not as familiar with his pre-UFC life, but I believe you- I bet his life has always been a bit of a roller coaster. lol

Originally Posted by Gurry

For sure, evan tanner is one of the two fighters, who not many casual care about, that i wanna know there life story. The other being shonie carter(after meeting him u learn how intersting his life really is). I really hope somehow tanner can get his life back on track, im upset that ill never see tanner raise his hands in triumph, but im sure there isnt anybody who wuldnt mind having the fighter with the most Triangle choke finishes training at there camp. Come to Xtreme Couture Toronto, and ill sign up (even if its a $100 a month)

Gurry, no doubt!!! I'd go to a seminar of his in a heartbeat! And about you saying it's sad that we'll never see his arm raised in triumph again (possibly)... I totally feel ya there. I was telling my girlfriend how upset I was at his performance and that I was seriously scared he might go off and do harm to himself. That guy is brave, and I'm just a big Tanner fan. *sigh*

[Ifightforaliving]

I have always been an Evan Tanner fan and will miss the guy.

[ArMnHC]

i agree WAR TANNER $ LIFE! but id rather him get his health back in order and retire, then see him fight...that fight was very hard to watch, seeing Kendall handle him like that. he looked out of place in there and it was sad.

ive always been a Tanner fan and wish the best for him, his career, and his life!