Evan Tanner
Biofiles | Published March 8th, 2008
 Status: Former UFC Middleweight contender.
Ht: 6-0 Wt:200
Born On: Feb 11, 1971 In: Amarillo, Texas
Childhood Heroes: “I liked the Terminator, and Bugs Bunny was always cool [smiles].”
Hobbies/Interests: “I’d say surfing is my favorite, but I don’t get to do that too often. I like snowboarding, hiking, bicycling, reading, and riding my Harley.”
Nicknames: “‘Machine’ back when I wrestled in high school, because I was in pretty good shape. They also called me ‘Ivan Drago’ after the Russian fighter in Rocky IV.”
Favorite Movies: “That’s an easy one…Braveheart, Gladiator, Dances with Wolves, Legends of the Fall. Some of my favorites.”
Musical Tastes: “You know, I pretty much like everything - rock, country, classical, blues, hip-hop, and whatever else. It’s all good.”
Favorite TV Shows: “I don’t really watch too much regular TV. I like The 70’s show. The History Channel is my favorite though.”
Early Fighting Memory: “Let’s see, probably the earliest fight memory that stands out would be the first night I fought. I signed up for an eight-man heavyweight tournament in the USWF in Amarillo, Texas back in 1997. I had to fight three times that night, and ended up winning the tournament. That was a rush.”
Favorite Meal: “Hmmmm…pizza is always great. My favorites would have to be Thai food, then Mexican.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “Cocoa Pebbles are the best.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Cookies and cream.”
First Job: “Ha ha, I had my own paper route when I was eight-years old - Amarillo Globe News.”
First Car: “My first vehicle was a motorcycle. It was an old 1980 Yamaha Maxim with a big Windjammer fairing of the front.”
Pre-Fight Feeling/Mindset: “That’s kind of a hard one to answer. A lot of things go through my head. I know right before I step in the ring, I’m pumped and excited. I feel some butterflies. I’m thinking that I’m here to take care of business”.
Funny Fighting Memory: “I fought the school bully in 7th grade. Don’t remember his name. We had gotten into it at school and decided to meet at the skating rink that weekend to settle it. It was a small town we lived in at the time. The skating rink was the only hangout for the kids in town on Saturday night. It was especially crowded that night. I guess our fight was the biggest thing going on in town. So this guy shows up, and we decide we’re going fight in the field across the street. The parking lot of the skating rink wasn’t paved. It had been raining so the parking lot and the field were nothing but mud. We walk out the door and the skating rink emptied out behind us. Most people didn’t even bother taking their skates off. Some got only one skate off. They didn’t want to miss a thing. (Who won?) I wouldn’t say the fight was very interesting. Neither one of us knew what we were doing. I just have this memory of all these people wearing roller skates, stumbling, and hobbling across a muddy parking lot and into a muddy farm field, and standing there in their skates watching two guys duke it out in the mud. About a hundred pairs of skates were ruined that night. The skating rink owners were pissed off. All of the parents were pissed off. And for some reason they all blamed it on me. After that, I was known as a troublemaker. I was the scourge of the town.”
Greatest Moment of Career: “I would like to think my greatest moment hasn’t happened yet. (So far?) I would say the moment that meant the most to me was winning the Texas State Championship in wrestling my junior year of high school. It was the first time I set a big goal for myself and accomplished it.”
Most Painful Moment: “I don’t really think I have an answer for that one.”
Worst Injury: “I’ve been very fortunate in that sense. Hurt my knee skiing my senior year of high school. I missed most of the wrestling season. That’s probably the worst injury I’ve had.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “I’ve been to a lot of cool places. I don’t think I have a favorite. What I like best is riding the motorcycle across country, watching the scenery roll by.”
Favorite Fighters To Watch: “I would definitely say my teammates - Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Matt Lindland and all the rest of the fighters at Team Quest. I spend a lot of time training with these guys. They help you prepare for your fights, and you help them get ready for theirs. It’s easy to get excited about watching them compete.”
Favorite Fight(s): Randy and Tito. Matt’s fights are always fun to watch…I liked how Matt totally controlled Baroni in both of their fights. Dan has had some great fights in Pride. I really liked Dan’s fights against Shungo Oyama and Murilo Bustamante, those were great KOs.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I would say courage, discipline, honesty, kindness, and compassion.”
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