Evan Tanner was one of my favorite Ultimate Fighter fighters. Despite his problems with alcoholism and depression(?), he was noted as one of the most intelligent and all-around respectable fighters in the business. Anyone who watched more than one of his UFC battles knows Tanner had more than just skill and ability, he fought with tenacity and heart. I just watched him fight about a month ago (he lost) and it was apparent he might just be getting a little over-the-hill in the sport, but he was still the strong, agressive fighter I always admired.

I understand that we all (me too) tend to armchair these survival events and tragedies, such as wondering how he could succumb to the heat and dehydration after only travelling 3.5(?) miles, but I've got a wandering theory: these fighters put their bodies through an ordeal as they prepare for their fights. They'll work out and sweat off several pounds just to make weight, then try to replenish what they've lost immediately thereafter. All they have to do is make it through a maximum of a 25 minute fight (no small feat - any of it), and they can rest, rehydrate, and replenish. Although they're elite athletes, I don;t think it's proper conditioning for arid desert survival.... rather, it's conditioning for fighting in the octagon.

While we don;t know yet exactly what happened, it's a good bet that Evan Tanner made some serious mistakes, as pointed out by everyone. I think it's a shame, it's saddening, and it's a loss to the mixed martial art "world".

Thanks for posting that news clip.