Dean Lister vs. Evan Tanner at UFC 79??
This is definitely only a rumor, but a good rumor. I hope this fight happens, but it's a long way away from me believing it just yet, considering he was already supposed to fight once and didn't.Former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner (32-6) is rumored to be making his long-awaited return to the Octagon against Dean Lister (9-5) at UFC 79 on December 29, according to MMAonTap.com and Fightlinker.com.
Tanner has been on a bizarre sabbatical since his submission win over Justin Levens at UFC 59 in April 2006. He has been getting back in fighting shape at ChuteBoxe in California after letting himself go for months.
The camp issued a statement months ago that Tanner would return sometime in September. However, those statements never turned out to be accurate. In fact, Dave Meltzer even reported that Tanner isn’t even under contract.
Therefore, treat this report as “rumor” until more detailed information comes along — we’ve been down this road with Tanner before.
Lister is rehabbing from biceps surgery that has had him out of action since his decision loss to Nate Marquardt at UFC Fight Night 8 in January.
The Brazailian jiu-jitsu blackbelt recently flew out to Croatia to help Mirko Cro Cop train for his upcoming heavyweight bout with Cheick Kongo at UFC 75 this Saturday.
UFC 79 features the welterweight title fight between 170-pound champ Matt Serra and newfound nemesis, Matt Hughes. Wanderlei Silva is also expected to make his return to the Octagon that New Year’s Eve weekend.
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Well this could make for a great fight. Tanner's a brutal GnP fighter with good striking but also submissions, while Lister's a beast on the ground with his bjj.
I'm pulling for Tanner on this one, as he's one of my favorite fighters and I've been waiting so long for him to return to fighting. I'm predicting Tanner could get the win by out-striking Lister like how Marquardt did.
Royce Gracie: "I'm going to apply a submission hold, choke him out, help him up, send him home."
Royce Gracie: "This is my house. I build it."
I met Lister. He's a suprisingly small guy but very cool.
I am too busy, but I still love fightforum.com
if tanner actually got his head out of his ass, if he's training and stopped riding around on a motorbike drinking jack daniel's i think lister has absolutely no chance.
lister has piss poor striking and cardio and he wont be able too sub tanner.
tanner by unanimous decision/2cnd or 3rd round tko
I've always loved Tanner and hope he comes back with a vengence.
"I got too hyped up and punted Jacare Wanderlei style and put a vagina on his head." - Jason "Mayhem" Miller
I really hope this is true because it's about time for Tanner to come back. I've been waiting for his return.
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