Andrei Arlovski made it three wins in his last four fights with a close win over rising heavyweight Tanner Boser at UFC Vegas 13.
Tanner Boser was looking to continue his flawless 2020 at UFC Vegas 13 against what would be the biggest name on his resume, Andrei Arlovski. The Canadian Boser went from generally unknown heavyweight to one to watch very quickly. Brutal knockout victories in June and July on Fight Island launched him onto the radar.
It has been 15 years since Arlovski held the UFC belt and he’s still winning. The 41-year-old has won two of his last three fights, defeating Ben Rothwell and Philipe Lins. The Rothwell victory stopped a four-fight winless streak.
Boser stayed light on his feet early on then delivered a few leg kicks towards the tail end of the first minute to get things started. Boser kept the leg kicks coming, then hit a counter-left as Arlovski charged in. Arlovski fired a head kick that was deflected and Boser tried one of his own that was also blocked. After a bit of a tentative start for both men, Boser weaved in and landed a short left hook. Arlovski tried a head kick followed by a spinning backfist but neither strike landed. Arlovski went to a flurry of kicks, but again, nothing landed. Right before the end of the round, Arlovski connected with the best shot of the round, a sharp right hand that found its target.
Does that shot take the round? 🤔@AndreiArlovski lands late after a quiet first round. #UFCVegas13 pic.twitter.com/YgO2gJo2OR
— UFC (@ufc) November 8, 2020
Leg kicks were traded out of the gate with both fighters landing. Boser was winning the leg kick battle, but then ate a hook kick from Arlovski, who then landed a counter-right as Boser threw a haymaker. A straight right found the button for Arlovski and Boser answered with a strong hook. Arlovski landed another straight right as Boser was coming in with the jab. Boser came in with a flurry of hooks that landed, but not too cleanly. A body kick for Arlovski made Boser stumbled, and it felt like a 1-1 fight going into the final round.
Leg kicks from Arlovski started the final round and the pace picked up as Boser landed a right hand that backed him to the fence, covering up to avoid an overhand. The leg kicks continued to land for Boser, who fired a spinning backfist that was blocked. Visible bruising was on the lead leg of Arlovski from all the kicks, but he was still able to burst forward with a combination. He then landed a solid right hand. It was quiet for a brief period of time before Arlovski rushed in with a combination marked by a straight right hand. A left connected for Boser, who came up short with a looping right hand at the end of the round.
Andrei Arlovski def. Tanner Boser by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)
