UFC Kansas City on Saturday marked the light heavyweight debut for Canada’s Tanner Boser, inside the octagon anyway, as he returned to the weight class for the first time since well-prior to his UFC run.
Welcoming Boser to 205lbs was the hard-hitting Ion Cutelaba, badly in need of a win after a handful of setbacks. Boser, meanwhile, had cruised at the scales on Friday, coming in well under the limit at 203lbs.
Cutelaba opened the fight with a low kick, the uncorked a combo that had Boser covering up. Ion fired a number of kicks, going to the body, while Boser looked to land his right hand. Under two minutes in, Cutelaba rocked the Canadian with a right hand to the jaw, and he went down by the fence! Boser got up, but was on wobbly legs, and Cutelaba went right after a takedown. Planting Boser on his backside, “The Hulk” had him trapped against the fence. He then unloaded blow after blow as Boser tired to post up, unable to protect himself.
That was enough to send the ref in, and Ion Cutelaba had the finish! The much-needed win was since September of 2021.
Hulk SMASH 😳@ICutelaba didn't waste ANY time getting this KO!! #UFCKansasCity pic.twitter.com/xXQmbZozuV
— UFC (@ufc) April 16, 2023
“Hulk is back!” Cutelaba hollered after the fight, adding that he had been willing to die in the octagon.
Official Result: Ion Cutelaba def. Tanner Boser by TKO, Round 1, 2:05
