Evan lost against a top-ranked middleweight Yushin Okami at UFC 82 yet he won the internal battle.

There aren't many heroes in sports. That title is reserved for the soldiers out there risking, and some losing, their lives for freedom; For people close to us who help define our moral compass and garner our complete admiration; And for those who overcome and conquer extreme adversity only to show the rest of us how it can be done.

Evan Tanner isn't a hero, but he has performed heroically. Not because he is a fighter, or an ex-champion, or an extremely talented physical person. He has overcome his internal demons and addictions in heroic fashion only to turn around and bare his soul in the hopes that it can help another person in the same or similar situation.

The following is a synopsis of what he went through but you can read his blog for the full details. It's a long read but well worth it and inspiring to all those who have struggled in their own lives.

Five months ago I was struggling with a severe drinking problem. I quit cold turkey, suffered through the detox, moved to Vegas to get back into training and get my life back together. I stayed away from the drinking, worked my ass off, and everything was coming together. I knew though that as well as it seemed things were going, it would be easy to fall back into the drinking. I knew that taking such a huge fight at UFC 82, after such a long lay off was a huge risk, and if I lost, it would be a disappointment that might easily cause me to take up drinking again. I lost the fight, and I really feel bad about that, but I didn't break down and start drinking again. I haven't been away from it long, and it would have been easy to fall back into it. That was the big test, and I passed it. I'm solid. I'm back into full time training this week. The fight was a setback, but I'm not done. There's still a belt to win.