Imagining an MMA Hall of Fame: Borderline Candidates, Part 2

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Evan Tanner Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation (1997, 1998, 1998, 1998, 1999, 1999-2000); PSDA (1997); Gladiators (1998); Pancrase (1998, 1998, 1999); Ultimate Fighting Championship (1999, 2000-02, 2003-08); Full Contact Fighting Federation (2003)
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CASE FOR: Tanner ran up an impressive 32-8 career record, winning the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight title and fighting for the UFC light heavyweight championship, as well. A free spirit, Tanner was remembered fondly following his premature 2008 death from exposure in the California desert. CASE AGAINST: Tanner was a very good fighter, but high-profile losses to Tito Ortiz, Rich Franklin and David Loiseau keep him from being perceived at a hall-of-fame level. VERDICT: Should he go in? No.

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