Continuing today’s “UFC Fighters Blogging” theme, Evan Tanner wrote a candid post on his blog regarding his loss to Yushin Okami last weekend at UFC 82:

That moment, in the silence of the dressing room, faced with crushing disappointment, numbing embarrassment, and that heavy sadness, I faced the old demons. I felt so low, as if everything had been lost. I wanted to drink. I faced those old demons again, and I beat them down. I won the battle, and I won the war. I didn’t drink, and I won’t. That was my great test, one I had to face before I could really move on. I passed it. I stand triumphant, solid, UNSHAKEABLE.

The loss at UFC 82 was a setback, and I am very disappointed in that, but considering what I just came out of, the fact that I was near collapsing just months ago, that I was almost on the streets, I feel it was huge that I was even able to step into the ring again. I faced my fears, and my greatest weakness, and won. Despite the loss, I’m feeling very good, and highly motivated. There is still a belt out there to win. Now it’s time to get to work. I’m not going anywhere. I’m back in training this week.

Simply put, Tanner’s blog is awesome. He’s completely forthcoming about his issues in the past, and you can see how much fighting in the UFC means to him. While he didn’t win the fight this weekend, it looks like he’s definitely on the track back to MMA glory.