Canadian Tanner Boser threw down with Rodrigo Nascimento in a hard-hitting heavyweight affair on Saturday’s UFC Vegas 60 main card.
Boser entered the fight off a knockout win over Ovince Saint Preux, while Nascimento was returning to action after serving a suspension stemming from a failed drug test in a July 2021 fight with Alan Baudot. Originally a win for Nascimento, the result was overturn to a No Contest after the Brazilian tested positive for Ritalinic acid.
Boser opened slinging heavy leather, but Nascimento soon had the fight on the ground. With a considerable size advantage, the Brazilian was able to control from the top, working from inside Boser’s guard. Boser, however, would get back up, and eventually was able to drive Nascimento in the fence. The Canadian’s corner implored him to be aggressive and steal the round, as Nascimento had thrown few to no strikes. Boser finished the frame with a combo and a kick up the middle.
In round two, Boser got his jab going. He mixed in some leg kicks, but Nascimento stayed right with him, pressing forward despite having a far bit more weight on him. Boser, however, cracked Nascimento, rocking him then following up with multiple lefts and rights. A jab to the body followed, then an overhand right. A straight right landed. Then a couple of lefts. Boser was picking Nascimento apart from outside; Nascimento threw a 1-2, then changed levels for a takedown, getting the fight back into his wheelhouse. The Brazilian soon had the back, carrying a massive amount of weight. Boser then stuck his neck out, and paid for it, with Nascimento locking in a rear-naked choke. Boser gave the thumbs up more than once, and turned out of the choke, though he still had to contend with Nascimento on him.
Boser went back to the body in round three, but Nascimento continued to press forward, then changed levels for a takedown. He planted Boser on his back, full weight on top one more. The 30lb weight discrepancy was not helping Boser. The ref warned Nascimento to work, and he attempted to move to side control, settling for half guard. Nascimento would finally be stood up in the final thirty seconds, giving Boser a chance to get back in it. He gave it his all, connecting several times, but was unable to put Nascimento away.
Official Result: Rodrigo Nascimento def. Tanner Boser by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
