For Tanner Boser, a victory over Salimgirey Rasulov at ACB 90 on Saturday night could mean more than just four triumphs in a row.
ACB's heavyweight division has quietly become one of the most competitive in the sport outside the UFC — a roster of dangerous veterans and rising prospects from across Europe and beyond — and a win over a top-five opponent in that promotion is exactly the kind of result that turns a good record into a title shot.
With Boser currently ranked number four in ACB’s heavyweight division and Rasulov ranked number three, there’s a strong possibility of the winner earning the next title shot.
The number four vs number five matchup is the kind of contender fight ACB has built its reputation on — the promotion doesn't hand out easy touches, and a bout between two ranked heavyweights with title implications is exactly what separates the contenders from the pretenders.
Already a Unified MMA champion, Boser said winning an ACB title would be a strong reflection of everything he’s been working towards.
Unified MMA built its name on producing the best talent Western Canada has to offer, but an ACB title is a different tier entirely — a world championship from a promotion that has run events across three continents and paid its fighters like it means it, and Boser chasing that belt says everything about where he sees his career going.
“In my mind, the ACB title is a real world title,” said Boser in an interview.
“Winning that would be a true life achievement for me.”
With the contest taking place in Rasulov’s home country of Russia, Boser will be heading into enemy territory.
Fighting a Russian in Russia is the kind of road trip that either hardens a fighter or breaks them — the crowd, the travel, the unfamiliar cage, all of it favors the home fighter, and Boser taking this fight anyway is the kind of confidence that only comes from having done it before.
But despite the strong passion and support Russian fans are known for giving their fighters, Boser said it’s not something that will phase him in the cage.
“The Russian fans aren’t going to cheer for you when you’re walking out as the foreigner, but they’re also not going to boo you if you win the fight or if you’re beating their guy,” said Boser.
“It’s different. Russian fans, and Eastern European fans as a whole, are pretty respectful.”
Streaks Collide
Much like Boser, Rasulov is coming in hot as well, having won five of his last six fights inside the ACB cage.
Rasulov's recent run is the kind of form that makes him the betting favorite at home — a fighter who's won five of six in his own promotion is exactly the kind of dangerous veteran that gets underestimated until it's too late, and Boser knows it.
Boser said he’s preparing for a very powerful Rasulov with solid all-around striking, as is evident in his 10 career knockout victories.
“He’s a very powerful guy. His overhand right has a lot of knockouts to it,” said Boser.
“He’s not afraid to take a guy down and ground and pound you, but he’s definitely always looking for the striking finish.”
With the bout being contested at a catchweight of 275 pounds, Boser said his opponent will definitely be the bigger fighter.
The 275-pound catchweight is a rare wrinkle — the UFC's heavyweight limit is 265, so a bout at 275 gives both men room to carry their natural weight without a cut, and for a division where power is everything, that extra ten pounds can change the whole calculus of the fight.
And in order to come away with the victory on Saturday, Boser said he will look to employ the strategy he always has, and that is no secret to anyone watching.
“I’m going to have to be the faster heavyweight, which I almost always am, and definitely will be here,” said Boser.
“I have to use my movement, my speed and my stamina. All my typical strengths.”
Boser’s Shoutouts
“I’d like to thank my new sponsors Paul Peddle Services, Travel Gurus, and Platinum Water Solutions. I also want to give a shoutout to all the Danger Cats who will be watching the fight. Finally, I’d like to thank my coaches, Jeff Montemurro and Keijiro Noda, and all my training partners.”
