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Former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner was found dead in a mountain range near Palo Verde, Calif., on Monday, according to MMAonTap.com. He was 37.
The Imperial Valley Press first reported that a body was found, but was not able to initially confirm that it was that of Tanner, who was believed to be in the midst of a camping trip at the sight.
MMAonTap was one of a number of websites who have confirmed through members of Tanner’s camp that it was Tanner, who appeared to have died from hyperthermia or dehydration.
Tanner wrote in a recent Spike.com blog his intention to venture on a camping trip to give him time to himself. He also said he would take “only the essentials” and planned “on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life.”
Tanner became the UFC’s third middleweight title-holder in February 2005 with a win over David Terrell. He lost the belt in a subsequent match to Rich Franklin.
Tanner’s last professional fight resulted in a split-decision loss to Kendall Grove in June, his second straight defeat in the Octagon following a near two-year absence.
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