Following a promising 3-1 opening stretch in the UFC, Tanner Boser is now preparing to step inside the Octagon alongside a legendary figure in the sport.
Canadian competitor Boser (19-6-1) lines up against former UFC heavyweight king Andrei Arlovski (29-19) in a heavyweight matchup featured as the co-main event of UFC on ESPN+ 40 on Saturday evening in Las Vegas, Nev.
Boser, 29, admitted it feels special to share the canvas with someone of Arlovski's stature, yet he emphasized that admiration has its limits.
"Andre will likely find his way into the hall of fame eventually, so this represents a major opportunity for me," Boser told MMA Empire in an interview. "He's got real recognition, he's a former champion, but I'm not about to act like this carries overwhelming weight for me."
"I hold genuine respect for him, and it'll be interesting stepping into the cage together, but that's where it stops. That respect won't carry over once the bell rings."
This bout marks Boser's debut on a UFC main card, and he'll be claiming that prominent co-main event position.
Boser noted that while being placed in the co-main slot is flattering, it doesn't shift his approach to the matchup itself.
"It's fine, but it doesn't alter the fight at all. I'm still going up against Andrei Arlovski for three five-minute rounds," said Boser.
"The fact that it's the co-main event is nice; my friends and family will definitely think it's impressive. I think I landed in that spot after a couple of fights fell away. It wasn't like I was originally slated for it, but it worked out that way. It's neat, but honestly, it doesn't matter."
Styles That Mirror Each Other
Over his extensive UFC tenure, Arlovski has been recognized for his precise striking, steady footwork, and quickness—attributes Boser has also demonstrated throughout his own career.
Boser acknowledged the stylistic similarities between him and Arlovski, believing those parallels will produce a sharp, technical bout.
"We're pretty comparable; we're both light heavyweights who rely heavily on footwork," Boser explained.
"From a matchup perspective, it's shaping up nicely. We're both well-conditioned, we can handle 15 minutes without issue, and both of us carry knockout power. This should be a quality, technical heavyweight contest."
Though both fighters have showcased their ability to finish opponents, they've also proven their toughness and stamina are equally formidable over a full 15-minute heavyweight schedule.
Arlovski has seen eight of his last nine bouts reach the final bell, and Boser indicated he intends to extend that streak on Saturday—though with his hand lifted at the conclusion.
"I've picked up a few quick stoppages, but I'm certainly no stranger to decisions either," Boser remarked. "I expect this to be a solid, technical heavyweight fight, and I think we're going to land plenty of shots on each other."
"I wouldn't be shocked if this runs the entire 15 minutes. I'd love to see a great fight, and I plan to walk away victorious however possible."
Boser's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank my coaches (Jeff Montemurro, Keijiro Noda), KB Bhullar for cornering me, and my sponsors (Paul Peddle Services, BBN Consulting, Premier Built Garages, Axe Monkeys, Nickel City Beard Blends, MealKraft)." Follow Boser on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
