Tanner Boser's long-awaited UFC debut is finally here.
Edmonton's Boser (16-5-1) steps into the octagon for the first time on Friday night, facing off against Spokane's Daniel Spitz (6-2) in a heavyweight showdown at UFC Boston inside TD Garden.
Boser was originally slated to make his debut back in July in his hometown at UFC 240, but his opponent, Giacomo Lemos, was removed from the matchup after failing a drug test.
While this marks Boser's first appearance in the UFC, he carries a substantial experience advantage over Spitz, boasting more than three times as many professional bouts.
With numerous of those bouts coming against former UFC and Bellator standouts, Boser believes his accumulated experience could prove decisive on fight night.
"I've definitely fought really good, really difficult guys throughout my career and I think the type of experience that will play a factor is I have a lot more cage time and have fought more tough guys," said Boser in an interview.
"But he's definitely fought good guys too. He fought Walt Harris, who's an absolute beast, he fought Mark Godbeer, and he fought Anthony Hamilton and knocked him out, which is a big win. I definitely believe my experience will be a factor and play into my hands, but I expect Spitz to be a smart fighter as well."
Spitz's last time in the cage came against Harris—a fighter who has since risen as a heavyweight contender—back in June 2018, a contest he lost via TKO stoppage.
Even though that defeat added a second blemish to his record, Spitz said the loss taught him an important lesson about the seriousness required at the UFC level.
"I'd never been finished before or hurt in that way before in a fight, including snapping my arm in half in the first 30 seconds," said Spitz in an interview.
"It just kind of put the sport in a different perspective in the sense that it's more of a kill or be killed attitude when I go out there now. I'm not just going to out-technique or outwork the guy; I'm going in there to hurt him."
A Well-Rounded Fight Awaits
Throughout his career, Boser has demonstrated the ability to finish fights in multiple ways, with eight wins coming by strike, two via submission, and six unanimous decisions. Though his track record is shorter, Spitz has also proven his finishing ability with three submission victories and two TKO stops.
With both competitors showcasing striking and grappling talents throughout their respective careers, Boser said the bout could unfold in various directions—all scenarios he's trained for.
"Hopefully I knock him out and don't take any damage. That's the perfect world," said Boser in an interview.
"But you train for the worst. I plan for it to be a gruelling fight that goes the distance and, if it does, hopefully I do enough to win. I think I can win it by decision, I think I can win it by knockout and if it goes to the ground, believe it or not, I do have a couple submissions that work pretty well for me."
Boser competes out of Shaved Bears MMA, a highly skilled roster that also features Teddy Ash, KB Bhullar, Spencer Jebb, and others.
The Shaved Bears organization recently enjoyed a successful outing at Unified MMA 38, where Bhullar, Graham Park, and Christian Larsen all captured championship titles—championships Boser and Ash had previously held.
Boser said the camp remains Canada's premier training destination, operating under the guidance of Jeff Montemurro at Little Sweatshop and Keijiro Noda at Frank Lee's.
"We have a really strong team. We have the best team in the country and a very strong team worldwide," said Boser.
"Our top guys can compete with anybody. I loved seeing the belts stay with our team; that was wicked."
Spitz Brings Strength Across the Board
Training mainly out of Sikjitsu in Spokane, Spitz revealed he devoted much of his training camp at the UFC Performance Institute, focusing on building strength and conditioning.
Drawing on years of competition and improvements since his last outing, Spitz feels confident he holds the upper hand wherever the fight goes.
"I move quicker than him, the ground game will be night and day, and there'll be a distinct speed and athleticism advantage," said Spitz.
With the event unfolding in Boston, whoever emerges victorious will join an elite group of New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and Boston Red Sox athletes who have accomplished extraordinary achievements in one of the most storied sporting cities in America.
While some competitors might treat the occasion as just another stop on the tour, Spitz views it as something special—an opportunity he plans to fully appreciate.
"If people say it's just another arena, they need to check their pulse. This is an iconic sports town," said Spitz.
"To be in the same place where so many great athletes have competed is awesome. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Boser's Shoutouts
"My coaches Jeff Montemurro and Keijiro Noda, all the Shaved Bears, and my sponsors (Paul Peddle Services, Premier Built Garages, MealKraft)."
Follow Boser on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
Spitz's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank all my teammates (Jamelle Jones, Ike Okoli, Melvin Vassar, Theo Dukis), my jiu-jitsu coach James Weed, everyone over at Newborn Jiu-Jitsu, my head coach Rick Little, and everyone that's put their time in with me."
