Walt "Combat" Ward said he plans to fight his way to the governor's office in the biggest challenge yet for the perennial candidate.
Mr. Ward, who formerly operated a karate school, said a highlight of his upcoming campaign will be a series of fights across the state.
"I'm going to prove I'm the greatest fighter of all time and take on all comers," he said.
He said he's ready for all kind of fighting - including boxing, wrestling and karate - in the upcoming bouts.
Mr. Ward, 57, admitted he took a recent setback when one opponent broke some of his ribs. He said he was "in the best fighting shape of my life at the time," and is on the mend.
Mr. Ward, a state probation officer, has a website up and he plans to put 10,000 yard signs around the state.
He has run for office so many times he has lost count. "I think it's about a half dozen," he said.
The ones that stand out in his mind are a race for Congress in 1987 and a try at the state Legislature in 1994.
He said his website, Combatward.com, has one section asking visitors four questions. They include:
Are you colorblind in matters of race?
Does the nickname "Combat" offend you?
Would you support a person without financial backing?
Will you support/vote for me?
Mr. Ward, a Vietnam veteran, says, "I think I have a realistic chance of getting 10-15 percent of the vote.
"Bredesen has all his money. But at least I have a personality."