Once I Was a Champion

Awesome Documentary !
I am a big fight fan and watch Mixed-Martial-Arts since many years and therefore heard about the death of Evan Tanner in 2008, a former UFC Champion and also Pancrase Champion.
The highly skilled fighter had given it his all inside the cage and had a very successful career. This docu is more about the man and not so much the fighter. Lots of friends who knew Tanner talk about his troubled life, his girlfriend of almost 8 years gives insight into the soul of Evan Tanner. Tanner had alcohol problems, he was a truthseeker, he showed sympathy with his opponents, and no injury inside the cage could stop him.
It is a very moving documentary and definitely one of the best docus I ever saw. You see the struggles of a man, you can sense he burned a few bridges in life because of his inner demons, but he always keeps going forward.
Dana White, former UFC Champions Randy Couture, Forrest Griffin and Rich Franklin, Chael Sonnen and many others appear in this documentary. Bas Rutten...

Strong film
Even if you are not a MMA participant or enthusiast you will still find a great character study that unfolds when viewing this documentary on the late former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner. Powerful and raw, this film depicts a man who fights his battles both inside the ring and out. Unfolding like chapters in a novel, the film utilizes interviews from those who have happened to be a part of his life, depiciting the many complex sides of this man fighting all to common hurdles. Never superficial, we get both the good and bad of Evan's journey through life which cumulates into allowing the viewer to decide for themselves how they want to remember this man.

Don't judge the UFC thing...this is about a man
This is an amazing documentary about a human being, not just a fighter, if you know what I mean? Evan Tanner was an interesting dude, and it became obvious as to why he was so unique, because he was someone who tried to think, or at least think about other things other than busting people up. More importantly, he struggled with alcohol; so, this is a must see for anyone who has that issue. You will see how even a "tough guy" can be broken by a few beers etc...destroyed his life and may have ended it early.

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