UFC on ESPN 12 Results: Tanner Boser Flattens Philipe Lins in First Round

Tanner Boser punches Philipe Lins at UFC on ESPN 12
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 27: (R-L) Tanner Boser punches Philipe Lins of Brazil in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on June 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Tanner Boser scored the first knockout of UFC on ESPN 12 with a vicious combination against the highly-touted Philipe Lins.

A week ago, Canadians Marc-Andre Barriault and Gillian Robertson became the first UFC fighters from the Great White North to walk away with wins at the UFC Apex. Saturday night, at the promotion’s fifth straight stop at their home base, heavyweight Tanner Boser, from the western province of Alberta, looked to build off that success.

Opposite him, Philipe Lins, the former PFL heavyweight champion and million dollar winner. Lins had come up short in his promotional debut against Andrei Arlovski just six weeks ago, and was looking to right the ship in Vegas.

The striking-focused heavyweights started by trading straight punches. Lins had the center of the cage as Boser was moving around the outside. Boser swung an overhand right that came up short. The Canadian Boser focused on leg kicks, then when Lins ducked in with a punch, Boser landed a right hand that rocked Lins. Boser jumped in and threw a barrage of vicious punches. A left hand dropped Lins backward and Boser dropped down with a pair of huge hammerfists and the referee pulled him away. An excellent performance for Boser.

After the fight, Boser called out Greene, who fights Gian Villante later on UFC on ESPN 12. Boser detailed a conversation he had with Greene where the Crochet Boss said he’d love to fight on Fight Island next month. Considering Greene declined a fight with Boser in the past, Boser does not want that opportunity to slip away again. He also asked the UFC for a “tip” after saving the promotion “a bunch of money” by not having to pay Lins his win bonus.

Tanner Boser def. Philipe Lins by KO (Punches) in Round 1 (2:41)