UFC and Bellator vet Sherman "The Tank" Pendergarst dies of cancer

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/7/20/3172073/sad-news-hit-the-mma-world-this-morning-as-rory-markham-tweeted-that
Sad news hit the MMA world this morning as Rory Markham tweeted that his Miletich Fighting Systems teammate and one-time UFC fighter, Sherman "The Tank" Pendergarst, passed away this morning at the age of 46, after a battle with cancer.

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Sherman-Pendergarst-12854
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Pendergarst

sad to hear, i hate that disease, it takes way to many people, RIP

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29799/former-ufc-fighter-sherman-pendergarst-loses-battle-with-cancer.mma
MMA veteran Sherman Pendergarst passed away this morning after a two-year fight with rectal and colon cancer. He was 45.

"He always cared for others more than himself," Pendergarst coach Pat Miletich today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) via text. "He told me a few months ago that he had lived a great life and reached his goals and was at peace."

Pendergarst made a lone octagon appearance at UFC 65, where he lost to Antoni Hardonk. The former heavyweight and light heavyweight also made a lone appearance for Bellator and fought current UFC fighter Joey Beltran at Bellator 5 in May 2009. His overall professional record was 11-18, though he faced many big-show vets, including Shane Carwin, during his seven-year career.

Not even his illness could keep him from competing. He fought just five months ago at a local event in Fargo, N.D., while still suffering from the effects of cancer.

"He should have never fought, but that's him," longtime Miletich Fighting Systems teammate Tim Sylvia wrote via text.

Pendergarst was born in Baltimore but settled in Bettendorf, Iowa, while giving up a job as a mortgage broker to train with Miletich.

In April, he wrote about the drain of undergoing chemo therapy on his Facebook page, but he remained positive. A month later, he announced he would go to the gym whenever possible.

When things turned for the worse, "he was ready for the journey," Miletich wrote.

sucks, cancer is a cold hearted killer that we all need to fight against, instead of fighting each other

killerofchicken wrote:

sucks, cancer is a cold hearted killer that we all need to fight against, instead of fighting each other

I donate to Jimmy V every year. I had to stay in MD Anderson Cancer Center for awhile. Extremely sad how many young kids were there.

killerofchicken wrote:

sucks, cancer is a cold hearted killer that we all need to fight against, instead of fighting each other

amen brother