What a difference a year makes.

As of June 2005, Evan Tanner (36-7) was the UFC middleweight champion, having stopped David Terrell four months earlier in round one at UFC 51: “Super Saturday” to capture the vacant division title.

He then lost his belt to Rich Franklin at UFC 53: “Heavy Hitters” and was defeated in his next fight against David Loiseau at Ultimate Fight Night (UFN) 2.

Tanner resurfaced in early 2006, submitting Justin Levens via triangle choke in round one at UFC 59: “Reality Check.”

Then, the 35-year-old just vanished from the fight scene.

His journey over the last several months has been bizarre to those of us on the outside looking in. Put simply, Tanner has transformed himself from a super athlete to a super slob.

But, according to a recent statement, he still may have a future in the UFC middleweight division.

Here’s a snip:

I spoke with Joe Silva, the UFC matchmaker a couple of weeks ago. He says I still have a place in the UFC. I am thankful for that. I also spoke with the Chute Boxe team. They have invited me to come out to train. They want to get me ready to take on Anderson Silva.

Tanner admits that he is in the worst shape of his career, drinking and eating at will. Make no mistake, it would be great to see him return to the Octagon, in which he has compiled an impressive 10-4 record.

But, the idea of locking a former champion – perhaps with deteriorating skills and certainly not fit – in a cage with someone like Anderson Silva right away is shameful.

That’s what the UFC likes to do these days it seems – look no further than Ken Shamrock and Randy Couture.

At least let these champions ride off into the sunset on a winning note.

As good as Tanner was and probably still is, he is probably months and months away from being able to compete with an animal like Silva.