UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. The Korean Zombie · Dec 21, 2019 · Heavyweight · Completed
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Age 36
Height 6' 4"
Reach 81.0"
Weight 245 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Age 34
Height 6' 2"
Reach 75.0"
Weight 205 lbs.
Stance Orthodox
Career Averages - Ciryl Gane
5.29 SLpM
61.0% Str. Acc.
2.33 SApM
60.0% Str. Def.
0.68 TD Avg
25.0% TD Acc.
47.0% TD Def.
0.6 Sub. Avg
Career Averages - Tanner Boser
4.7 SLpM
52.0% Str. Acc.
2.75 SApM
58.0% Str. Def.
0.0 TD Avg
0.0% TD Acc.
63.0% TD Def.
0.0 Sub. Avg
Ciryl Gane - Fight History
SCHED vs Alex Pereira
UFC Freedom 250 · Jun 14, 2026
AJ
AJ DeVito Expert Lean picked Jun 3, 2026 (11 days before fight)
Alex Pereira

AJ leans towards Pereira, noting that Pereira's leg kicks will slow Gane's lateral movement and his punch power is a huge difference maker. He acknowledges the odds are essentially even and that Gane could win, but favors Pereira.

"Alex's really going to kick the [__] out of Gan's legs to slow his lateral movement down. Then it'll really get interesting."
NC vs Tom Aspinall
NC R1 4:35 · UFC 321 · Oct 25, 2025
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tom Aspinall 0 27 of 39 69% 27 of 39 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Ciryl Gane 0 30 of 40 75% 30 of 40 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tom Aspinall 0 27 of 39 69% 27 of 39 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Ciryl Gane 0 30 of 40 75% 30 of 40 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tom Aspinall 27 of 39 69% 14 of 25 5 of 6 8 of 8 27 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 30 of 40 75% 8 of 16 9 of 11 13 of 13 30 of 40 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tom Aspinall 27 of 39 69% 14 of 25 5 of 6 8 of 8 27 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 30 of 40 75% 8 of 16 9 of 11 13 of 13 30 of 40 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Aspinall (-380), Gane (+300)

Round 1
Despite never engaging in an undisputed championship bout, Aspinall (15-3, 8-1 UFC) is the current undisputed heavyweight king. He achieved this feat by annihilating Sergei Pavlovich in 69 seconds to claim the interim strap, and then defended that silver title by punching out Curtis Blaydes in exactly one minute. He has been away for a smidge under 15 months, during which time he was elevated to the undisputed holder when Jon Jones cast his throne aside again. Like the Liverpudlian, Gane (13-2, 10-2 UFC)—who forgot his groin cup—has only held the interim belt, so there are a lot of marbles on the line. A potential date with either Jones or light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira looms, and referee Jason Herzog will be on the ball to make sure everything stays copacetic. He takes a deep breath and brings the two to the middle of the cage to issue instructions, and the big men gladly touch ‘em up with no ill will between them. It’s on with the show.
Gane marches forward and slips a right hand, and he cannot get out of the way of a body kick. Aspinall rushes after him, ignoring kicks and jabs to hurl his big right hand, and he knocks Gane back to the wall. Gane responds with his own overhand right and a kick, and he barely blocks a head kick in time. Every collision is a veritable car crash of danger and pain with these two heavyweights, and Gane has already bloodied up Aspinall’s nose. Aspinall shoots for a takedown, and the Frenchman bucks him to the side without concern and resets on the outside. Aspinall fires off a high kick that pounds into the raised guard, and Gane bounces back and forth on his toes while looking for his sharp jab. Gane pump-fakes to draw a reaction out of his opponent, and Aspinall comes out swinging and trips Gane up with a low kick. The Brit spins with a back kick to the torso, and he darts in and out to draw Gane’s reactions.
Gane jabs him in the stomach, and Aspinall counters with a right hand. Gane stomps the front leg with a kick and peppers Aspinall with his jab, and he tries to escape a body kick but is not out of range. The French fighter keeps behind his jab, and he snaps Aspinall’s head back with a particularly strong one. Gane hyperextends the lead leg with his stomp kick, and Aspinall thinks about a spin and bails on it, only to offer a high-five and a grin to his opponent. Gane pecks away with his sharp jab, staying light on his feet and switching stances frequently. Aspinall chambers and fires a hefty leg kick that Gane takes well, and Gane’s jab is bloodying up the Brit more and more with every impact. They crash together with punches, and Gane’s fingers push off and jam into both of Aspinall’s eyes at once in a Three Stooges-esque disaster. Herzog sees it and calls time, and Aspinall walks to the cage and leans on it in pain. Herzog calls in the doctor as the replays shows both eyes were impacted. Aspinall appears to tell the doctor that he cannot see, and that would be the worst possible outcome if true. Herzog goes over to calm Aspinall down, giving him a towel to hold over his eye and take more time. Once more, Aspinall appears to tell someone that he cannot see. Aspinall is struggling to even open his eye, and he has the doctor further check on the condition. Herzog handles this ordeal like a consummate professional, asking Aspinall once more if he can see. Aspinall says no, so Herzog declares properly that this heavyweight championship bout will be ruled a no contest due to the accidental foul. Gane, learning this news, collapses to the ground in contrition and melancholy, and fans abandon ship in droves and depart the building silently.
Aspinall, who still cannot open his right eye, is incensed that the remaining audience is booing him and curses them out. They keep booing until they see the definitive slow-mo replay, and ouch. He does not stick around long, as he wants to get his eye checked out by the professionals. The crestfallen Gane apologizes to everyone for the inadvertent foul—sometimes these things really do happen in MMA—and hopes that he can get another crack at Aspinall soon. If they run it back in the near future, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result
Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) R1 4:35
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Oct 19, 2025 (6 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Angelo picks Tom Aspinall confidently, calling Ciryl Gane undeserving of the title shot. He notes Aspinall's well-rounded skills, 100% takedown accuracy and defense, and hand speed. However, he admits uncertainty about Aspinall's ability to handle adversity or a long fight, as he has only fought 16 minutes in nine UFC fights. Despite this, he believes Aspinall wins any way he wants.

"I'm going to pick Tom, all right? Tom's the pick. ... I think Tom beats Ciryl any way he wants to. So, he is the pick."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Oct 22, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Big Brady is extremely confident in Tom Aspinall, stating he should run through Ciryl Gane. He criticizes Gane's takedown defense and grappling, noting he was outgrappled by Ngannou, Volkov, and submitted by Jones. Brady believes Aspinall has the power to KO anyone and the grappling to submit Gane. He expects Aspinall to close the distance, get the fight to the ground, and finish Gane in the first round via submission.

Aspinall by first round submission
"Give me Aspinall here. Give me Aspinall to win this fight by first round submission."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Oct 22, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Cody picks Tom Aspinall to retain the title, citing Aspinall's wrecking ball form and Gane's exploitable grappling. He notes that while Gane has good elbows and cardio, his takedown defense is weak, as seen against Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. Cody believes Aspinall can knock him out or submit him early, but acknowledges the risk if the fight extends past the first round due to Aspinall's history of early finishes and potential cardio issues.

"Tom Aspinall retains for me."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Oct 23, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Connor also picks Aspinall, emphasizing that Gane struggles against opponents who press him and don't respect his range. He compares Aspinall's approach to Volkov's pressure in their fight, which caused Gane to make poor grappling decisions. Connor believes Aspinall's athleticism and wrestling will be too much for Gane, though he notes Aspinall's cardio could be a concern if the fight goes long.

"I have to pick Aspinall. And I think even if it goes all rounds, he might still be in the driver's seat the whole way through, but this could end up being an extremely ugly fight."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Oct 23, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Daniel Vreeland is extremely high on Tom Aspinall, calling him the 'baddest man on the planet' and praising his one-two combination, ground game, and finishing ability. He acknowledges Ciryl Gane's diversity and leg lock threat but believes Aspinall's speed and power will be too much. He notes that Aspinall hasn't been tested past the first round but doesn't see that as a flaw. He picks Aspinall to win decisively.

"I haven't picked against this guy yet, and I'm not going to start Saturday night."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Oct 20, 2025 (5 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Lucrative James picks Tom Aspinall to win by submission or ground-and-pound finish in the first round. He highlights Aspinall's massive power and speed advantage early, as well as his superior grappling, noting that Ciryl Gane has repeatedly shown grappling holes against strikers like Francis Ngannou and Alexander Volkov. He acknowledges Gane's technical striking and cardio advantage if the fight goes late, but believes Aspinall's early finishing ability and wrestling will be too much. He also mentions that Gane has been training in Abu Dhabi for a month, giving him an acclimatization edge, but still favors Aspinall.

submission or ground-and-pound finish in round 1
"I predict a Tom Aspenol submission in this fight or a ground and pound finish from top position in the very first round."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Oct 22, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

The host believes Aspinall's physical advantages in speed and power will be too much for Gane. He expects Aspinall to touch Gane up on the feet and mix in takedowns, leading to a finish within two rounds.

finish within 2 rounds
"I really think it's going to be Aspenol touching him up on the feet with the power, but also mixing in a few takedowns. And I think that should lead to a finish within two rounds."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Oct 22, 2025 (3 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Paul also picks Tom Aspinall, emphasizing his well-rounded game with high-level BJJ and knockout power. He notes Aspinall's 100% takedown accuracy in the UFC and believes he can submit Gane similar to Jon Jones. However, Paul warns that if Aspinall doesn't finish early, his cardio could be a concern, as seen in the Arlovski fight, and suggests live betting on Gane if the fight goes past round one.

"pre-fight flop for me it's a champion retains as well. I got Tom Aspinall."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Oct 21, 2025 (4 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

The MMA Guru picks Tom Aspinall by Kimura submission in the first round, around 3-4 minutes. He believes Aspinall's speed and power will be too much for Gane, and that Gane overthinks in high-pressure situations. He compares their common opponents (Spivac, Volkov, Tuivasa) and sees Aspinall as levels above. He predicts Aspinall will sting Gane on the feet, then get a body lock takedown and transition to a Kimura from top position. He also mentions a PrizePicks bet on Aspinall under 1.5 rounds.

Kimura submission in round one (3-4 minutes); also mentioned in a PrizePicks parlay for less than 1.5 total rounds
"I've got Tom Aspinall by Kimura. I've got a Kimura submission for Tom Aspinall and I'll tell you why."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Oct 23, 2025 (2 days before fight)
Tom Aspinall

Zane picks Aspinall, believing his pressure and willingness to exchange will overwhelm Gane. He notes Aspinall's lack of deep fight experience but thinks his aggression and wrestling will force Gane into mistakes, likely finishing within two rounds. Zane acknowledges Gane's technical striking but doubts his ability to handle Aspinall's relentless forward pressure.

Aspinall finishes in two rounds
"I'm going to pick Tom Aspinall. I am too. And I think he probably finishes gone or in two rounds because gone is so mistake prone on the mat and Aspinall is so violent and aggressive on the mat."
Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura · Dec 07, 2024
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ciryl Gane 0 43 of 61 70% 48 of 66 2 of 4 50% 2 0 3:40
Alexander Volkov 0 39 of 71 54% 105 of 140 3 of 4 75% 1 0 4:32
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ciryl Gane 0 12 of 15 80% 17 of 20 1 of 1 100% 2 0 1:38
Alexander Volkov 0 10 of 14 71% 12 of 18 2 of 3 66% 0 0 1:34
2 Ciryl Gane 0 27 of 39 69% 27 of 39 1 of 3 33% 0 0 0:39
Alexander Volkov 0 25 of 47 53% 25 of 47 0 of 0 --- 1 0 0:00
3 Ciryl Gane 0 4 of 7 57% 4 of 7 0 of 0 --- 0 0 1:23
Alexander Volkov 0 4 of 10 40% 68 of 75 1 of 1 100% 0 0 2:58
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ciryl Gane 43 of 61 70% 14 of 30 10 of 11 19 of 20 40 of 57 0 of 1 3 of 3
Alexander Volkov 39 of 71 54% 19 of 46 18 of 20 2 of 5 36 of 67 3 of 4 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ciryl Gane 12 of 15 80% 3 of 6 5 of 5 4 of 4 9 of 12 0 of 0 3 of 3
Alexander Volkov 10 of 14 71% 2 of 5 7 of 7 1 of 2 9 of 13 1 of 1 0 of 0
2 Ciryl Gane 27 of 39 69% 9 of 19 5 of 6 13 of 14 27 of 38 0 of 1 0 of 0
Alexander Volkov 25 of 47 53% 14 of 32 10 of 12 1 of 3 23 of 44 2 of 3 0 of 0
3 Ciryl Gane 4 of 7 57% 2 of 5 0 of 0 2 of 2 4 of 7 0 of 0 0 of 0
Alexander Volkov 4 of 10 40% 3 of 9 1 of 1 0 of 0 4 of 10 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Nov 30, 2024 (7 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Angelo picks Ciryl Gane, stating he will win the same way he did in their first fight: with superior footwork and technique. He notes Volkov hasn't shown improvements in striking or wrestling since then, and hasn't attempted a takedown in years. Gane's striking is elite, as shown in his 109-11 significant strike advantage over Sergey Pavlovich. The fight is only three rounds, favoring Gane.

"croan wins this fight the exact same way he won the first one"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Dec 4, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Cody picks Gane, expecting a similar striking battle to their first fight. He notes Volkov's momentum but believes Gane's speed and Muay Thai will outpoint him. He suggests Gane by decision, as Volkov likely won't wrestle. He also mentions a YOLO bet on Volkov by submission at long odds.

Gane by decision; Volkov by submission (small bet)
"I think Gane, Gane by decision... I took a little bit of Volkov by submission at 22-to-1."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Confident picked Dec 5, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Connor states that Gane is simply better at the same game Volkov plays. He notes that Gane is faster, more fluid, and operates at the same range more efficiently. The first fight was a dominant win for Gane, and Connor sees no reason for a different outcome unless Volkov switches to wrestling, which he doubts will work.

Gane opened at -235, currently -342; Volkov opened at +202, currently +283. Connor thinks Gane should be a much heavier favorite.
"We saw this fight. He should be a massive favorite. He won it super easily."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Lean picked Dec 3, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Daniel picks Gane based on his previous win and superior athleticism, but notes Volkov's hunger and recent resurgence. He mentions Gane's mental fragility in big fights and Volkov's four-fight win streak, making this a lean rather than confident pick.

"I'm a pick gone, I understand why someone would want to take the shot on Vulkov."
DA
Daniel Vreeland Expert Confident picked Dec 5, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Daniel Vreeland picks Ciryl Gane, stating that Volkov used to be much bigger or longer than his opponents, but that's not the case here. He notes Gane is better technically on the feet and can avoid getting hit, allowing him to pick Volkov apart and likely win a decision.

"um give me gone here um volov I it's actually what I said yesterday about uh the brand new brand fight volov used to be much bigger or at least longer than his opponent it's not really the case here …"
JE
Jeff Fox Expert Confident picked Dec 5, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Alexander Volkov

Jeff Fox picks Alexander Volkov for the value, noting that Volkov has looked infinitely better in his last few fights and is clearly making improvements late in his career. He points to Volkov's dominant win over Pavlovich as evidence, and mentions Volkov's underrated wrestling and Ezekiel choke finish. Fox believes Volkov learns from his previous loss to Gane and will show a better version of himself, and that the fight was closer than the odds suggest.

"I'm going to mix it up I'm going to take the value on Alexander volov here there it is I I think and I'm not like super sold on volov here but like in his last few fights he's looked …"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Dec 4, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Lucrative James picks Ciryl Gane to win by decision, expecting a repeat of their first fight. He highlights Gane's elite jab and in-fight adaptations as key. He predicts a 49-46 scorecard, with Gane outworking Volkov over five rounds. He doesn't see Volkov improving enough to change the outcome.

wins by decision, 49-46
"I think it's going to be a 4-1 decision I'll call 49 46 in this one."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Dec 6, 2024 (1 day before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Gane will utilize his footwork, speed, and striking to get the better of Volkov once again, staying away from any grappling threat or power shots. Gane is still the better mixed martial artist and will win this fight on the scorecards.

"I'm expecting gone to utilize his footwork speed and striking to get the better of volov once again"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Dec 4, 2024 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Paul picks Gane, citing his cleaner striking and speed advantage. He notes Volkov's wrestling ability but doubts he'll use it. He thinks Gane will win a decision in a three-round fight, as Volkov is content to stand and trade.

"I think Gane, Gane by decision... it'll be two heavyweights in a pure striking battle."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Dec 3, 2024 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Gane in the rematch, noting Volkov's improved standup but believing Gane can match his output and movement. He thinks Volkov cannot hurt Gane, while Gane has a better chance of hurting Volkov. He also cites Volkov's knee injury postponing the fight as a factor favoring Gane, especially in a low-kick battle.

"I'm G to go with sirel G in the rematch here volov could get it done I wasn't going to pick him the first time"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Confident picked Dec 5, 2024 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Zane echoes Connor, noting that Gane's speed and movement outclass Volkov. He points out that Volkov's game relies on range and size, but Gane is faster and can operate in the same range. Zane also mentions that Volkov would need to change his approach drastically to win, which is unlikely.

"Cyril Gane is simply better at the kind of game that Volkov has spent his whole career playing."
TKO (punches) R2 3:44 · UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Spivac · Sep 02, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ciryl Gane 0 109 of 156 69% 110 of 157 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:09
Serghei Spivac 0 11 of 44 25% 11 of 44 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:02
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ciryl Gane 0 51 of 69 73% 52 of 70 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:09
Serghei Spivac 0 7 of 26 26% 7 of 26 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:02
2 Ciryl Gane 0 58 of 87 66% 58 of 87 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Serghei Spivac 0 4 of 18 22% 4 of 18 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ciryl Gane 109 of 156 69% 48 of 85 39 of 49 22 of 22 105 of 152 4 of 4 0 of 0
Serghei Spivac 11 of 44 25% 7 of 38 2 of 3 2 of 3 11 of 44 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ciryl Gane 51 of 69 73% 19 of 32 19 of 24 13 of 13 50 of 68 1 of 1 0 of 0
Serghei Spivac 7 of 26 26% 5 of 23 1 of 1 1 of 2 7 of 26 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Ciryl Gane 58 of 87 66% 29 of 53 20 of 25 9 of 9 55 of 84 3 of 3 0 of 0
Serghei Spivac 4 of 18 22% 2 of 15 1 of 2 1 of 1 4 of 18 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Ciryl Gane vs. Sergey Spivak
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gane (-166), Spivak (+140)

Round 1
It’s heavyweight time. In the main attraction, with 25 minutes or less to get things done, former interim champ Gane (11-2, 8-2 UFC) wants to give home country fans something to cheer about in a big way. Standing across from him will be Spivak (16-3, 7-3 UFC), a veritable polar bear that has developed into a serious contender. In this classic striker vs. grappler contest, anything could happen. Referee Marc Goddard will be here for it. The respect is ample as the big men bump their fists together, and away we go. Spivak moves right to the center of the cage, and Gane keeps his hands low and circles around him. Gane splits the guard with a quick jab, and he pushes out with a front kick. Spivak responds with a body kick, and Gane switches stances and paws out with a leg kick. Gane snipes with a jab, and he dips a looping right hand that slides past his shoulder. Gane hand-fights when Spivak gets close, and he jabs the midsection. Spivak attempts a takedown, and Gane pushes both of his hands on the back of Spivak’s head to stop it in its tracks. Gane picks away with front kicks to the body and jabs, and Spivak is already not having a great time in there. Biting down on his mouthpiece, Spivak closes the distance and tags Gane with a right hand. Spivak sells out for a charging takedown, and Gane expertly sprawls, allows Spivak to stand back up, and knees him square in the liver. Gane targets all areas with impunity, and both men snap the other’s head back with power jabs. Gane works the body and goes up top when places open up. Gane continues to do work and evade a few looping strikes, and a jab makes Spivak blink it out repeatedly. The continued jabs from Gane bloody up the nose, and his chipping leg kicks are having an impact as well. Gane digs two hands to the body, and he ducks the overhand right counter with ease. Gane styles on Spivak with distant strikes, and his range is such that Spivak cannot touch him back. Gane doubles up on a jab and pushes out a right hand, and he chains a high kick that slaps into the guard. Spivak lumbers forward, and Gane dances around while scoring three jabs and a right hand to conclude the fairly one-sided round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 2
The heavyweights touch gloves to get started again, and Gane instantly enters cruising altitude with frustrating leg kicks, jabs and other distance-keeping strikes. Spivak looks to catch one low kick and crash the pocket with an overhand right, and Gane parries him aside without allowing the takedown to materialize. Gane confidently stays seemingly right in front of his opponent, landing shots to anywhere he sees fit, and Spivak is tough but not offering much back effectively. Gane dips to his side, and Spivak times a clean left hook. Gane responds by putting some pop into his shots, and he makes Spivak shell up momentarily to protect from further harm. The Frenchman springs back and forth, ducking a right hook and jabbing the body with his toes outstretched when eh resets. Gane strings punches up top to a few to the body, and he steps in with a knee to the breadbasket for good measure. Gane keeps working the body brilliantly, and he steps in with a vertical elbow and a right hand to follow it. Gane digs his shin to the liver, and he leans back right as Spivak is about to counter him. Gane finds a right hand right on the target with odd timing on it, and Spivak reels and bounces off the fencing. Gane blasts the body again and again, and one knee bends the Moldovan over in pain. Spivak recovers, but he is getting picked apart. Spivak is offering nothing back, and Gane lays into him with his punishing fists. Spivak leans over and a few blows bounce off the back of his head, but Gane keeps right on clubbing him without any concern of reprisal.
The strikes do not stop coming from Gane, and he pushes Spivak back to the fence and unloads with punches, hammerfists, tomahawk arcing fists and anything else he feels like drilling Spivak with. As Goddard watches closely, Spivak’s balance nearly betrays him. Before Spivak hits the ground in defeat, Goddard leaps in between the two to cease the dominant beating courtesy of the Frenchman.
Gane is all smiles as the crowd erupts in celebration of his triumph and the others from earlier, with French combatants tonight performing swimmingly – of the seven from this country against foreign opponents, six emerged victorious. The promotion is prepared for the end result, placing heavyweight contender Tom Aspinall in the crowd as the likely next test. If that fight comes together, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

The Official Result
Ciryl Gane def. Sergey Spivak R2 3:44 via TKO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Aug 26, 2023 (7 days before fight)
Serghei Spivac

Angelo picks Serghei Spivac, reasoning that Ciryl Gane has been taken down by the only two opponents who tried (Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones). He believes Spivak can get takedowns and win, though cardio is a concern. He has a half-unit bet at +145 and suggests waiting for better odds. He also mentions this could be a good live bet.

half unit at +145
"I do think Spivak can win I have a half a unit bet on him at plus 145"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Aug 30, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Serghei Spivac

Big Brady picks Spivac, believing he can close distance, take Gane down, and dominate on the ground. He notes Gane's takedown defense as a weakness and Spivac's relentless wrestling, ground and pound, and submission threat. He predicts a first-round submission. However, he acknowledges that if Spivac cannot take Gane down, he will look bad on the feet.

Spivac wins by first-round submission
"I like speed vac to close distance get the fight down to the mat and dominate Cyril gone and finish him in the first round... give me a circus be back I'll take him to win by first round submission"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Aug 30, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Serghei Spivac

Cody sees Spivac as a live underdog at +140, citing Gane's poor takedown defense (45% in UFC) and Spivac's improving wrestling and grappling. He notes Spivac's recent takedown output (6 vs Lewis, 3 vs Sakai) and believes Gane is out of his element on the mat. Cody also mentions Spivac by submission at +800 as an intriguing prop, though he later corrects that the best available is +500.

Spivac by submission +500 (best available)
"I think we have a live Underdog here... Spivak at plus 140. I'm interested."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Daniel Levi picks Ciryl Gane, arguing that Gane's only losses are to the two best heavyweights on earth (Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou) and that those losses are not indicative of his true level. He emphasizes Gane's athleticism, elusive movement, and striking volume, noting that Spivac's grappling style (more judo throws than traditional doubles) will be difficult to implement against Gane's footwork. Levi also points out that Spivac has historically folded when hit to the body, and he expects Gane to hurt him there and finish. He mentions that Gane's aggression on the mat has cost him before but believes he has learned from those mistakes.

Gane inside the distance; moneyline recommended because if the Jones fight never happened he'd be -270
"I think so Rogan's gonna win I think he's probably gonna hurt him uh to the body and then finish him"
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Sep 2, 2023 (fight day)
Serghei Spivac

Lucrative James bet Spivac at +140 earlier in the week but has become less confident. He believes Gane has clear weaknesses on the ground, as shown against Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. Spivac is one of the best top grapplers in the division and can break Gane down. He notes Gane mentally quit in the Ngannou fight after being taken down. He also bet under 2.5 rounds, expecting an early finish. He considers hedging with Gane by KO.

Under 2.5 rounds
"I bet him about Monday quite a while ago now... I am a little bit less confident than I once was."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Aug 31, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Serghei Spivac

I'm leaning with the grappler Spivac here. Gane has a tremendous striking advantage but his takedown defense and work off his back are major red flags. Spivac is on a three-fight winning streak and has been improving his takedown timing and top control. I expect Spivac to close the distance, get the fight to the ground, and eventually find a submission or TKO from top position. I like the plus money on Spivac and also like the prop 'fight doesn't go to decision'.

fight doesn't go to decision (minus 350/400), plus money on Spivac
"I'm gonna lean with the grappler you know it's hard for me to really get on the serial God train especially at chalk when he's going up against a legit Grappler until we see those legitimate improvements made in his …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Hesitant picked Aug 30, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Paul agrees Spivac is a live underdog but leans Gane due to the five-round nature of the fight. He argues Spivac's cardio is unproven and he may fade in later rounds, while Gane paces himself well and has good cardio. Paul also notes Spivac's chin is suspect and he struggles when forced to strike. He suggests a live bet on Gane if he loses early rounds, as he could come back late.

Live bet on Gane if he loses first round(s)
"I am going to bet thrill gone... the best way to approach this as a gone better would be the live BET."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Aug 29, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane by first or second-round TKO, arguing that Gane has had time to improve his grappling and that Spivac's takedowns come from the clinch, not single or double legs. He notes Spivac's poor stand-up and lack of big crowd experience, while Gane will have the Paris crowd behind him. He expects Gane to control distance with kicks and jabs, and Spivac will crumble.

"I'm going Cyril gone first or second round TKO that's what I'm gonna go with"
LOSS vs Jon Jones
Submission (guillotine choke) R1 2:04 · UFC 285: Jones vs. Gane · Mar 04, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Jon Jones 0 5 of 10 50% 8 of 14 2 of 2 100% 1 0 0:57
Ciryl Gane 0 6 of 8 75% 7 of 9 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Jon Jones 0 5 of 10 50% 8 of 14 2 of 2 100% 1 0 0:57
Ciryl Gane 0 6 of 8 75% 7 of 9 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Jon Jones 5 of 10 50% 2 of 5 0 of 1 3 of 4 5 of 10 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 6 of 8 75% 1 of 3 2 of 2 3 of 3 6 of 8 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Jon Jones 5 of 10 50% 2 of 5 0 of 1 3 of 4 5 of 10 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 6 of 8 75% 1 of 3 2 of 2 3 of 3 6 of 8 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
UFC Heavyweight Title Fight: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Jones (-155), Gane (+135)

Round 1
This one is for all the marbles. The heavyweight strap is officially on the line with the relinquishment of Francis Ngannou’s heavyweight crown and his subsequent release. The challengers for the vacant strap will be former light heavyweight king Jones (26-1, 1 NC; 20-1, 1 NC UFC), who is taking his first trip up to this division and weighed 248 pounds, against ex-interim champ Gane (11-1, 8-1 UFC). Surprising many, Gane checked in a half pound lighter than Jones. These big men have 25 minutes to work and establish themselves, and referee Marc Goddard will receive the final assignment of the night. After a touch of gloves and Gane patting Jones’ chest, it’s on. Jones comes out of his corner like usual, climbing upright, and the two throw at one another immediately. Jones fires a punch up top, and Gane responds with a low kick that slams into Jones’ cup and causes a pause in the first 10 seconds of the bout. Jones takes 30 seconds to clear it out, and they get back to action. Jones takes a low kick to stick the Frenchman with a right hand, and he walks Gane down firing at him. Jones sweeps low with a kick, and Gane replies with a similar blow. Jones walks through a jab and marches Gane down, pressuring the Frenchman and no-selling any strikes that land on him. Jones swings with a big body shot that misses the mark, and when Gane fires off a big right hand, Jones ducks under and trips Gane out to drop him to his knees and down. Gane fights back up to his knees, and Jones slips a hook in around the side while Gane works to his feet. Jones pulls Gane down, and he sits on Gane’s knees and suddenly grips with a guillotine choke that is crushing around Gane’s noggin. Jones lets go and resets his grip to slip his forearm under the chin, and he presses his full body weight on the submission to completely fasten the guillotine. Gane is shocked, his eyes wide open, and he frantically taps out before he goes out. Jones has done it! He is a two-division UFC champion, and he made it look easy against a phenomenal opponent. His status as one of the greatest if not the greatest of all time is fully cemented with this victory, which clocked in around two minutes as his quickest since he smashed Vladimir Matyushenko in 2010. After thanking his family and training partners, Jones has one name in mind: Stipe Miocic, for International Fight Week in July. We will absolutely be here should that materialize, and we hope you are too. What a night.

The Official Result
Jon Jones def. Ciryl Gane R1 2:04 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Mar 1, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Angelo leans towards Ciryl Gane due to Jon Jones' three-year layoff, weight gain, and poor performance in his last fight. He notes that Gane is a technical striker with great footwork and that Jones struggled with wrestling against Dominick Reyes. Angelo is not betting on this fight.

"I think I have to pick zero gone here because of the layoff because of the unknowns because how shitty Jon Jones looked in his last fight"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Feb 27, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Jon Jones

Big Brady picks Jon Jones but is hesitant due to many red flags: a three-year layoff, lackluster recent performances, and moving up to heavyweight. He notes Gane's takedown defense was exposed by Ngannou, and Jones is a great wrestler. He predicts a decision win for Jones, but advises against betting on the fight due to uncertainty.

by decision; no serious bets, maybe a parlay
"give me Jon Jones as far as a pick goes here... I'll take Jon Jones to win by decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Hesitant picked Mar 1, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Cody is very reluctant to take Jones at -160 given the three-year layoff, recent disinterested performances, and move up to heavyweight. He sees Gane as a legitimate heavyweight who fought Francis Ngannou closely, but worries about Gane's wrestling after Ngannou took him down. He ultimately takes the plus money on Gane but will wait for weigh-ins to see Jones's physique.

Will wait for weigh-ins before locking in; mentions live betting as a possibility
"ever so reluctantly is take the plus money here on Cyril gone but I am going to wait for weigh-ins to really see what's going on"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Mar 2, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Jon Jones

Connor picks Jones but with significant hesitation. He believes Jones's forward pressure and consistent use of a few tools (lead hook, body kick, side kick) over five rounds will be enough to edge out Gane, despite Jones's decline in activity and wrestling. He expects a close, boring fight where Jones may get hurt but ultimately wins a decision or via a takedown from a Gane error. He notes Gane's poor defensive footwork and tendency to fall apart when pressured, but acknowledges Jones's own defensive flaws and the risk of Gane's jab and kicks.

Expects a close fight; mentions Jones opened at +140 and dropped to -165, but does not recommend a bet.
"I'm going to pick Jones to just have... I don't expect a better version of John Jones. I don't expect anything more than the late career John Jones we've seen. I just think that might still be enough."
JA
Jacob Lines Expert Confident picked Mar 1, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Jacob is confident in Ciryl Gane, stating that on the feet, Gane will embarrass Jones with his footwork and speed. He believes Jones will struggle to get takedowns because Gane will be ready for them. Jacob thinks Gane will pick Jones apart and win.

"on the feet cirrogon is going to embarrass Jon Jones he's going to look slow"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Feb 27, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Jon Jones

Jones is a dominant wrestler with unorthodox striking and a championship mindset. Gane is a slick striker but has shown vulnerability to wrestling, as seen against Francis Ngannou. Jones will drag the fight to the ground and use his top pressure and ground and pound to win. The weight gain shouldn't be detrimental.

surprised by the odds (-155)
"I think Jon Jones will showcase as he said in the past that there are levels to the [ __ ] and I think that Jon Jones as long as packing on the muscle and weight... I think he wins …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Mar 1, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Jon Jones

Paul picks Jon Jones but says it's a stay away from a betting perspective. He believes Jones's wrestling will be the difference, as Gane was taken down by Ngannou. However, he acknowledges the many question marks around Jones and cannot bet him at -170. He thinks Jones will win but won't put money on it.

Stay away from betting; considers live betting after first few minutes
"Jon Jones is the pick to stay away from a betting perspective for me"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Feb 27, 2023 (5 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane to upset Jon Jones, citing Jones' long layoff (over 3 years) and recent close fights. He believes Gane's range, leg kicks, and patience will trouble Jones, and that Jones' takedowns won't be as effective at heavyweight. He predicts a decision win for Gane.

"I'm going with Cyril gone to upset Jon Jones... I think he's gonna give Jones some problems."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Mar 2, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Zane favors Gane, assuming the fight becomes a slow-paced kickboxing match where Gane's consistency, jab, and kicking variety give him the edge. He doubts Jones's wrestling will be effective due to poor entries and a clench that has deteriorated. He notes Gane's defensive flaws and potential unforced errors (like a bad takedown attempt) could cost him, but overall sees Gane as the more reliable striker at range.

"I favor Gane in this fight. My only real concern with picking him is maybe Jones has really worked on his wrestling."
WIN vs Tai Tuivasa
KO (punches) R3 4:23 · UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa · Sep 03, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ciryl Gane 1 110 of 168 65% 110 of 168 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:01
Tai Tuivasa 1 29 of 89 32% 29 of 89 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:04
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ciryl Gane 0 16 of 31 51% 16 of 31 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tai Tuivasa 0 6 of 26 23% 6 of 26 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Ciryl Gane 0 41 of 65 63% 41 of 65 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Tai Tuivasa 1 15 of 40 37% 15 of 40 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:04
3 Ciryl Gane 1 53 of 72 73% 53 of 72 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:01
Tai Tuivasa 0 8 of 23 34% 8 of 23 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ciryl Gane 110 of 168 65% 64 of 110 30 of 40 16 of 18 108 of 166 0 of 0 2 of 2
Tai Tuivasa 29 of 89 32% 17 of 61 4 of 9 8 of 19 26 of 84 1 of 3 2 of 2
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ciryl Gane 16 of 31 51% 5 of 16 3 of 5 8 of 10 16 of 31 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tai Tuivasa 6 of 26 23% 2 of 13 1 of 2 3 of 11 6 of 26 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Ciryl Gane 41 of 65 63% 24 of 43 11 of 16 6 of 6 41 of 65 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tai Tuivasa 15 of 40 37% 12 of 32 1 of 4 2 of 4 12 of 35 1 of 3 2 of 2
3 Ciryl Gane 53 of 72 73% 35 of 51 16 of 19 2 of 2 51 of 70 0 of 0 2 of 2
Tai Tuivasa 8 of 23 34% 3 of 16 2 of 3 3 of 4 8 of 23 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Ciryl Gane vs. Tai Tuivasa
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Gane (-540), Tuivasa (+420)

Round 1
Depending on how this headliner shakes out, a title shot may loom for one of the victors. While former interim beltholder Gane (10-1, 7-1 UFC) would certainly like another crack at Francis Ngannou, he first has to deal with the surging brawler Tuivasa (14-3, 8-3 UFC), who has won five straight fights by knockout. Gane will need to keep his wits about him, and referee Marc Goddard will too so that he avoids any possible errant blows from the two strikers. The fists are bumped, Gane pats Tuivasa in the face, the cage door is locked, and it’s time for the main event! Tuivasa ignores an early leg kick so that he can try to close the distance and solve the rangy puzzle that is the Frenchman, but he does not throw much. Tuivasa absorbs another low kick, and he fires one back, forcing Gane to awkwardly recoil his own leg. Gane jabs with his foot, and he sits down on a kick to the body with his other leg. Tuivasa stalks Gane down but cannot corner him, although he does get off another leg kick that he turns his hips into. Gane catches “Bam Bam” coming forward with a swatting right hook, disrupting the offense Tuivasa was able to release. Gane comfortably pokes and jabs, and the crowd serenades him with the French National Anthem. Tuivasa starts laughing, and Gane appreciates it and ducks a massive haymaker. A leg kick from the Aussie gets checked, and he swings heavily to close in. Gane blocks most of the strikes, taking one flush, and otherwise keeping his preferred range. The crowd chants loudly for their fighter, and Tuivasa is unable to do much to deflate the crowd. Gane slips a leg kick and releases a body kick. Tuivasa responds, and he just misses an overhand right by a whisker. Gane sticks out a jab and goes after a head kick, and the kick slams into Tuivasa’s guard…he feels it. Tuivasa hand-fights to get in on Gane, and Gane is elusive as he snaps out a front kick. The Aussie lunges with two punches, and Gane skirts out the side and lightly taps his foe’s calf with a kick. The horn sounds to end this sparring match of a round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 2
The heavyweight headliners touch ‘em up to start the second round, and Tuivasa slaps the thigh with a kick. Gane responds with one to the inner thigh, and he snaps out a jab. As Tuivasa looks to weave forward, Gane splits the guard with another jab, shutting down the offense before it comes. Tuivasa trips his man up as he comes forward, but it is simply that their legs are tangled. “Bam Bam” advances and wings a right hand, and it glances off the dome as Gane moves away from it. Gane front kicks his man and flicks out a jab, with a low but consistent pace that frustrates the brawler. The crowd grows restless as the approach of these two big men, and Tuivasa absorbs their energy by releasing a right hand that slams into Gane’s face. Gane smiles, and the two high-five after the exchange. Gane scores a low kick and a pair of jabs, and Tuivasa follows him along only to walk into a straight left hand. Tuivasa leans back when a high kick is unloaded, and he cuts Gane off with three short left hooks. Gane pushes through the guard with a jab and shoots in for a takedown, but the Aussie is a brick wall and shoves him back. Tuivasa is extremely mad by the exchange, and he winds up with a monster right hand that sends Gane crashing to the mat. Gane crawls to the side, and Tuivasa looks to hop on the side and pound him out. Gane survives and manages to back off, and Tuivasa gives chase and gets clipped with a right hand. Gane targets the body with impunity, kicking the body several times until Tuivasa bends over. Tuivasa is hurt but still dangerous, as swings with all his might, and he manages to crack Gane again. When Gane retreats, he jabs out to the body, and Tuivasa is hurt once more. The crowd is going wild as these two keep hurting one another, and Tuivasa blasts Gane with another overhand right. Gane blinks it out and works the body even more, and Tuivasa signals to the crowd to give it up for them. They do, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tuivasa
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 3
They touch fists to start off the third round, having spent the last minute recovering and retooling their gameplans. Tuivasa actively attacks the lead leg, and Gane strings together a few punches on Tuivasa’s iron chin. Tuivasa chops at the leg, and Gane kicks the body and may have grazed the cup. Tuivasa complains, but Goddard tells them to keep working, and Tuivasa grabs his cup and shakes it. They resume combat, and Gane measures his man with sharp front kicks as Tuivasa takes a deep breath. Gane loads up on a liver kick, and Tuivasa just watches it land. “Bam Bam” ducks in for a punch to the body, and Gane sticks out several jabs. Tuivasa turns to his side as he misses with a kick, and he sprints back to the fence and bounces off it like a professional wrestler. Gane high-fives him, and he then kicks Tuivasa in the face. Tuivasa eats it like Vegemite on toast and immediately absorbs one more, and he wobbles back. He might be playing possum, as he leans back and winds up an enormous right hand that buzzes Gane’s dome. The Frenchman kicks him two more times right in the head, and Tuivasa is stunned but still swinging everything he has in hopes of catching Gane. Gane keeps tagging Tuivasa with his rangy blows, and Tuivasa shakes his head every so often and loads up on what Quinton Jackson would call “bungalows.” Gane largely avoids them, but he still cannot quite evade every one. Tuivasa marches forward, and Gane smacks him in the face with a standing back fist. As Tuivasa slows, Gane feed his man a steady diet of front kicks to the body, and Tuivasa bends over again in pain but is still on his feet. Gane knows that Tuivasa is fading, and he lets loose with a right hook square on the chin that puts Tuivasa on ice skates.
The Aussie is tough but his consciousness is fading, and Gane unloads a bombardment of five vicious punches including an arcing hammerfist that send Tuivasa crashing down to the canvas. Goddard is about to step in, so “Bon Gamin” makes sure he does by hammering Tuivasa with two devastating punches, putting a cap on a sensational performance after a spectacular fight.
The Accor Arena, which might have already set decibel records in the city tonight, shatters those with raucous cheers and applause for its home country fighter. France ends the night at 5-0 against foreign opponents, with each one making a statement, but none more massive than Gane. The French fighter celebrates with his family, who flood the cage in support of the victor. The triumphant Gane only one has target: the title, which currently sits around the waist of former opponent Francis Ngannou. Even though Ngannou is in the building, he does not enter the cage, as he may not want to take away from Gane’s moment. The crowd is in the palm of Gane’s large hand, and the UFC should know once and for all it has a star on its hands. Next week, the UFC is going to try to cash in on a pair of other stars, and we will be here for it with UFC 279. We hope you are too. Vive la France!

The Official Result
Ciryl Gane def. Tai Tuivasa R3 4:23 via KO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Aug 27, 2022 (7 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Angelo picks Ciryl Gane because of his technical striking, footwork, and ability to work in takedowns against powerful strikers. He expects Gane to make Tuivasa swing at air and likely win a one-sided clinic. He notes Tuivasa is always live for a knockout but Gane won't be there to hit. No prop bets because lines are too short.

No prop bets; lines too short (take down -700, significant strike -600)
"cyril gone is absolutely the pick here"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Big Brady picks Ciryl Gane to win by submission in the fourth round. He notes that Gane is better in every aspect except pure power, and that Tuivasa's best chance is in the first round and a half. He expects Gane to survive the early storm, then take over with takedowns and ground control, eventually submitting a tired Tuivasa. He mentions that Gane may also finish by ground and pound or body shots.

submission in the fourth round
"i like gone to win i'll say by submission in the fourth round"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Cody picks Ciryl Gane, emphasizing Gane's superior footwork, lateral movement, and ability to avoid big shots. He notes that Gane has faced heavy hitters like Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou without taking significant damage, and that Tai Tuivasa's leg kicks may slow Gane's movement but Gane will counter with his jab. Cody also highlights Gane's durability and the fact that Tuivasa has never fought five rounds, predicting a late finish by Gane in round 4 or 5. He mentions that the best value is the over 2.5 rounds at -130, as both fighters are cautious early.

Over 2.5 rounds (-130); Gane wins in round 4 (+1200) or round 5 (+1700)
"I'm picking gone... I think gone probably finishes them off in either round four or round five."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Daniel Levi picks Ciryl Gane to win, acknowledging he should be the rightful favorite due to size, athleticism, and potential grappling advantage. He notes Gane's unorthodox leg locks and range striking as key factors, but is wary of laying the -600 price. He mentions Tai Tuivasa's puncher's chance and power, but ultimately sides with Gane. He suggests Gane by submission as a prop, but does not bet the moneyline himself.

Gane by submission; Tuivasa by KO at +500; fight doesn't go to decision; over 1.5 rounds
"I think he's minus 600 for a reason even if I'm not gonna lay that price"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The host is very confident in Gane, believing his movement, footwork, and range control will neutralize Tuivasa's power. He expects Gane to potentially take the fight to the ground and look for a submission. He suggests a sprinkle on Gane by submission at plus 420, predicting a second-round finish.

Gane by submission (plus 420), Gane by submission round 2
"Give me Cyril Gane by submission second round."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Aug 31, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Paul picks Ciryl Gane, agreeing with Cody that Gane's durability and ability to pick Tuivasa apart at range are key. He hates the -600 price but believes Gane will avoid a brawl and win. Paul also notes that Tuivasa's only path is a knockout, but Gane's movement and reach should neutralize that threat.

"Gone is my pick hate minus 600 in literally any heavyweight fight but durability is on point... should be able to just pick Tuivasa apart at range and avoid the big shots."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Aug 29, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane over Tai Tuivasa, citing Gane's significant reach advantage (8 inches) and his light footwork. He acknowledges Tuivasa's power and the 'Samoan bone density' factor but believes Gane's chin is underrated, as he absorbed shots from Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou. He predicts Gane will pick Tuivasa apart at range with jabs, teeps, and leg kicks, then finish him in the fourth round with elbows or knees. He notes that Gane is still improving and had eight months off to train.

Gane wins by TKO in round 4
"i think he's just gonna pick a tyre win the range game swollen swell up the eye of tyre with a jab bust up his nose with a jab"
LOSS vs Francis Ngannou
Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 48–47, 49–46) R5 5:00 · UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane · Jan 22, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Francis Ngannou 0 43 of 104 41% 71 of 139 4 of 5 80% 0 1 8:29
Ciryl Gane 0 63 of 91 69% 79 of 107 1 of 3 33% 3 0 2:51
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Francis Ngannou 0 12 of 31 38% 14 of 33 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:40
Ciryl Gane 0 15 of 20 75% 24 of 29 0 of 2 0% 0 0 1:05
2 Francis Ngannou 0 10 of 27 37% 10 of 27 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:13
Ciryl Gane 0 19 of 33 57% 19 of 33 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Francis Ngannou 0 9 of 20 45% 19 of 30 2 of 3 66% 0 0 1:55
Ciryl Gane 0 6 of 9 66% 11 of 14 0 of 0 --- 1 0 1:07
4 Francis Ngannou 0 7 of 13 53% 15 of 25 2 of 2 100% 0 0 2:57
Ciryl Gane 0 16 of 17 94% 18 of 19 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
5 Francis Ngannou 0 5 of 13 38% 13 of 24 0 of 0 --- 0 1 2:44
Ciryl Gane 0 7 of 12 58% 7 of 12 1 of 1 100% 2 0 0:39
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Francis Ngannou 43 of 104 41% 9 of 56 21 of 33 13 of 15 34 of 87 6 of 10 3 of 7
Ciryl Gane 63 of 91 69% 15 of 32 20 of 29 28 of 30 57 of 84 6 of 7 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Francis Ngannou 12 of 31 38% 3 of 18 8 of 11 1 of 2 8 of 24 4 of 7 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 15 of 20 75% 4 of 7 9 of 11 2 of 2 10 of 14 5 of 6 0 of 0
2 Francis Ngannou 10 of 27 37% 1 of 11 4 of 10 5 of 6 9 of 26 1 of 1 0 of 0
Ciryl Gane 19 of 33 57% 4 of 11 4 of 10 11 of 12 19 of 33 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Francis Ngannou 9 of 20 45% 3 of 13 5 of 6 1 of 1 6 of 13 1 of 2 2 of 5
Ciryl Gane 6 of 9 66% 2 of 4 1 of 2 3 of 3 5 of 8 1 of 1 0 of 0
4 Francis Ngannou 7 of 13 53% 0 of 6 4 of 4 3 of 3 6 of 12 0 of 0 1 of 1
Ciryl Gane 16 of 17 94% 2 of 3 3 of 3 11 of 11 16 of 17 0 of 0 0 of 0
5 Francis Ngannou 5 of 13 38% 2 of 8 0 of 2 3 of 3 5 of 12 0 of 0 0 of 1
Ciryl Gane 7 of 12 58% 3 of 7 3 of 3 1 of 2 7 of 12 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
UFC Heavyweight Title Fight: Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane

Round 1
Former teammates collide in the UFC 270 main event, which comes in the form of a heavyweight championship unification battle. Ngannou (16-3, 11-2 UFC) will come in on a five-fight knockout streak that includes victories over three of the last five champions to hold the heavyweight strap before him, while Gane (10-0, 7-0 UFC) is a spotless 10 up and none down as he continues his quest for the undisputed belt. A bit of bad blood infiltrated the matchup due to a dispute about old sparring footage, but they still do elect to touch gloves as a prepared referee Herb Dean stands firm as the Octagon sentinel. Ngannou takes the center of the cage and starts to pressure Gane, only for Gane to rush in and pursue a takedown that gets stopped. The close range of Gane allows him to avoid the power shots, but when Ngannou gets backed up across the cage to the wall, he gets off a high knee. Gane pushes off and retreats, keeping a safe distance and kicking and Ngannou’s lead knee – both of the champ’s knees have braces on them. Ngannou closes in with a big punch, and he blocks a rising knee from Gane as they are tied up in the center of the cage. Gane gets some space with a short elbow, but Ngannou walks him down and delivers a painful uppercut up the middle that stuns Gane for a moment. Gane regains his composure and backs off, but he gets clipped with an uppercut, Gane escapes out the edge and evades most of the power punches that come his way, and he spins with a kick to the body. Ngannou walks him down, but Gane is light on his feet and staying away. Gane steps in suddenly with a knee before breaking away to get into a safe range, and he does so just when Ngannou loads up on a right hand. “The Predator” stalks his prey, only to come up short with a looping right hand. Ngannou kicks the knee and comes up high, and Gane pushes it off and ends in grappling range with the champ. Ngannou flirts with a takedown effort, but he abandons the try to knee Gane in the chest. “Bon Gamin” turns him about on the wall, staying tightly pressed to Ngannou so as to not absorb any short but powerful shots. Gane clings to his opponent, stifling Ngannou for a moment, but Ngannou still manages to land a knee and an uppercut as Gane pushes off. Ngannou marches ahead, and they stare down one another as the round comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou

Round 2
The heavyweights touch gloves to start off the second frame, and Gane leads off with a front kick that splits the guard. Ngannou mimics the blow with one of his own, and it gets swatted away. Ngannou is continually advancing as Gane is light on his feet with his hands low, so Ngannou kicks him in the thigh a few times with the ball of his foot. Gane then turns to side kick Ngannou in the knee, and darts away before Ngannou can get in on him. This does not stop Ngannou from trying, and when he misses, Gane chips away at his lead leg from a distance. Ngannou lifts up a high kick, and he then goes low with a stomping kick to the knee. Gane sticks out a jab, and his mobility keeps him away from the swinging shots that come at him. Ngannou eats a clean right hand that glances off the side of his ear, and he appears no worse for wear as he plods forward. Ngannou swings with a huge right hand, and the power is there but the accuracy is not, so Gane ducks it without concern. The punch leads Ngannou to tie him up, and he breaks off and misses by an inch with an overhand right. Gane picks and pokes Ngannou with low kicks before spinning with a wheel kick that clocks Ngannou in the top of the head. “The Predator” barely registers that the strike landed, and he continues to march ahead to line up a missile of a right hand. Ngannou kicks at the leg, and he absorbs one that comes back at him and makes him lift his leg up. Gane is loose and has his hands very low given the opponent staring across from him, and he relies on his movement to not let Ngannou get a hold of him. Ngannou sits down on a body kick, one that sneaks under Gane’s blocking elbow. Gane bounces around as Ngannou slowly aims for a big strike, and he walks face-first into a powerful uppercut that knocks Gane back but does not hurt him. The Frenchman gathers himself and delivers a kick on the outside of Ngannou’s leg, and then goes with the other leg to the midsection. Ngannou checks one more kick as the round comes to an end, and the crowd is not overly thrilled with the pace of these two big men.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 3
The big gentlemen meet in the middle, only for Gane to give ground immediately and back off. Gane keeps his hand up and his fingers outstretched in hopes that he can anticipate a power strike from Ngannou and block it. Ngannou secures a short uppercut on the chin, but whiffs badly on the power left hand. Gane sees another powerful left hand come at him, and he darts away and kicks Ngannou in the side. “The Predator” is enraged by this kick, and he lifts a 250-pound Gane up in the air like a sack of potatoes and slams him down to the mat with emphasis. Ngannou lands in side control, and he is heavily positioned on top and does not let Gane twist and turn. Gane ends up surrendering mount as he tries to scramble, and he turns over to give up his back in the process. Ngannou starts dropping down a few sledgehammers in the form of his ground-and-pound, and when Gane walks his way to his knees, Ngannou trips him back down. Gane is able to defend his face from punishment, standing up safely and getting up against the wall. Ngannou deftly throws Gane down to the mat, face-first, in what appears to be a painful slam. “Bon Gamin” does not seem concerned, calmly working his way up to his feet. As Gane is composed in the clinch, he smoothly breaks the grip and spins around to elbow Ngannou in the face. Ngannou eats the Frenchman’s spinning elbow like a baguette, and he continues to lumber forward and narrowly evades a spinning wheel kick that grazes his hair. Ngannou pursues his man and loads up on a punch to the body, only to change levels and hit a double-leg takedown and ground the interim titleholder. Gane tries to defend off his back with a kimura, but there is nothing there. The champ rides out the round on top without landing strikes.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou

Round 4
Ngannou stands right in the center of the cage to begin the fourth round, and he lifts his leg up to check a kick that comes at him. “Bon Gamin” gets off a jab and scampers away from the power strikes that are telegraphed and not coming at him as frequently. The pitter-patter leg kicks and jabs from Gane frustrate Ngannou but do not appear to have an appreciable effect, and the crowd lets the two have it. Ngannou continues to ignore leg kicks, and he absorbs a clean side kick to the body while missing on the right hand counter. Gane gets interrupted on the way in with a low kick, so he replies with a slapping kick to Ngannou’s face. Ngannou does not appear thrilled by the kick, leading him to blitz forward and set up a body lock. “The Predator” succeeds on a toss to plant Gane on the mat again, and Gane is effective at protecting his mug from damage although he does give up control time. Gane works his way up to his knee and stand, but Ngannou trips him back down in a sneaky mat return. The Frenchman maneuvers his way up, and he pursues a standing kimura when Ngannou wrenches his legs out beneath him and puts Gane down again. Ngannou steps over to mount, and he loses it when Gane nearly sits up and out of it. Gane finds himself on his back, with a 260-ish pound Ngannou on top of him relying more on pressure than ground strikes. Gane sits up against the fence, and Ngannou knees him square in the chest in a very risky maneuver. Gane is struggling to stand as Ngannou is tightly pinned to him, and the champion holds him down to end the fourth frame.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou

Round 5
The champ and interim champ meet in the middle for one final touch of gloves. Gane backs away, and he steps in with a cheeky elbow that catches Ngannou clean. Gane lands a punch that makes Ngannou backpedal for a moment, and Gane stands right in front of him and kicks him in the leg and punches him in the body. Gane rushes ahead with a short combination, and Ngannou chows down on it like a steak. When Ngannou swings with a big punch, Gane ducks down and hits a takedown to plant the champion flat on his back. Ngannou looks to sit up, but he miraculously hits a sweep and turns Gane over to put him on his back. Gane defends effectively by dropping down with a heel hook, and Ngannou grimaces but grits it out to not allow Gane to sit up and get on top. Ngannou pops his leg out, and Gane goes for another that is not under the knee, so it is not as dangerous as the first. Like a snake, “The Predator” slithers over to re-take top control, sliding up to half guard and nearly claiming mount. Ngannou begins to set up an arm-triangle choke, but he does not present any other offense as Dean tells them to keep working. Gane sits up, allowing Ngannou to defend with a potential guillotine choke to sit him back down. The Frenchman keeps moving off his back, scooting his way towards the wall, and Ngannou pushes him back over as precious seconds tick off the clock. Gane is furious that he is being held down, and Ngannou finally lets a few punches go to end the fight on top. Some may be surprised that this fight went the distance, but
many
would be surprised that it was Ngannou that leaned on wrestling and effectively controlled Gane for long stretches of the fight. The bout in the books after 25 grueling minutes, the two men embrace and appear to have squashed the potentially manufactured beef. When Buffer announces the winner, it is not UFC President Dana White but matchmaker Mick Maynard that is in the cage to place the belt around the winner’s waist.
In his post-fight interview, Ngannou tells the crowd that he went through a great deal in this training camp, and three weeks ago, he completely tore his MCL tendon and hurt his ACL as well. Ngannou expresses his love for his home country and the fans, and tells the crowd that boxing is always in his back pocket but not an immediate goal for him. With that, UFC 270 is in the books, and the organization is taking a week off. When it comes back with UFC Fight Night 200 in February, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (49-46 Ngannou)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (48-47 Ngannou)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ngannou (49-46 Ngannou)

The Official Result
Francis Ngannou def. Ciryl Gane via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Jan 17, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Angelo picks Ciryl Gane primarily due to contract negotiation factors, believing Ngannou may have motivation issues. He acknowledges Ngannou is the better fighter with power and takedown defense, but thinks Gane's only path is a decision. He notes the sparring footage where Gane's strikes didn't bother Ngannou.

contract negotiation factors
"i'm going to go with cyril gone because of the contract factors but the reality is francis ingano is more dangerous and i think francis inganu is the better fighter but the contract negotiation that stuff is very real and …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Hesitant picked Jan 18, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Big Brady picks Ciryl Gane to win by decision, citing Gane's superior cardio, output, footwork, fight IQ, and defensive soundness. He acknowledges Ngannou's devastating power and the threat of a one-punch knockout, comparing it to the Derrick Lewis fight. He expects Gane to fight smart, stay at range, and avoid danger, similar to his performance against Rozenstruik. He notes that Ngannou has never won a fight past the second round and has never been knocked out, but believes Gane has more paths to victory.

Gane by decision; mentions Ngannou's power and that the line should be closer; compares to Rozenstruik fight
"I'm going to take gone to win by decision maybe a late finish but nganu 19 fights never been knocked out and gano's durability is phenomenal"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Jan 19, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Cody picks Ciryl Gane, emphasizing Gane's superior technique, footwork, cardio, and activity rate compared to Ngannou. He notes that Ngannou, despite his power, is 35 and fights infrequently, while Gane has gone five rounds and shown precision. Cody believes Gane's risk-averse style will allow him to avoid damage and tire Ngannou out in deeper waters. He also mentions the narrative that Ngannou may be distracted by contract disputes and a potential boxing career.

"I gotta go with the speed, the precision, and just the better all-around skill set, so sign me up for Ciryl Gane."
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jan 20, 2022 (2 days before fight)
Francis Ngannou

Daniel Levi picks Francis Ngannou to win by knockout. He argues that Ngannou's power is generational and that Ciryl Gane has not faced anyone who can put him on the back foot. Levi notes that Gane drops his hands off kicks and leaves his chin exposed, and believes Ngannou's improved wrestling and fight IQ under Eric Nicksick will be key. He acknowledges Gane's elite movement but thinks Ngannou's power is a different level. Levi also mentions that Ngannou is in a great mental space and that the underdog price is too good to pass up.

Ngannou by KO; underdog price +132 is value
"you give me a line like that on francis and i'm taking my chances so uh yeah i'm gonna go with francis and ganu to knock out the very elusive and talented uh cyril god"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jan 18, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The host believes Ciryl Gane's mastery of range management and ability to avoid significant strikes will be key. He notes that Gane has passed the 'heavyweight power punching gauntlet' against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Derrick Lewis, and now faces Ngannou. He expects Gane to use his southpaw stance, body work, and fight IQ to weather the early storm and finish Ngannou in the later rounds, possibly round 4 or 5. He also mentions that Ngannou's cardio is a concern and that Gane is the type of fighter who can exploit that.

Gane round 4 (+1500), Gane round 5 (+2500), live betting on Gane as rounds progress
"i think if there's anybody that's going to be francis it's going to be sirigon sir gone and you i'm going to take him to win this fight around via round you know what let's call round five round five …"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Jan 19, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Francis Ngannou

Paul picks Francis Ngannou, arguing that Ngannou's power and speed combination gives him at least a 50-50 chance to knock out anyone. He acknowledges Gane's technical advantages and the big cage, but believes Ngannou's power carries into later rounds. Paul also mentions the narrative that Ngannou is motivated to prove himself and secure a better contract. He notes that Ngannou by KO is available at +175 and considers that a play.

Francis Ngannou by knockout +175 at DraftKings
"I'm of the opinion that Francis Ngannou against any person on earth when Francis Ngannou is wearing four ounce gloves has at least a 50-50 shot to knock them out."
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jan 17, 2022 (5 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane, calling him a future heavyweight GOAT. He praises Gane's technical striking, including oblique kicks, jabs, and leg kicks, which he believes will neutralize Ngannou's power. He notes Ngannou's distractions (contract disputes, movie appearances) and predicts a fourth-round TKO, as Gane's versatility and range management will be too much.

fourth round tko
"i'm trusting in cyril ghan i've never seen a heavyweight move like this i think he's going to be the goat"
WIN vs Derrick Lewis
TKO (punches) R3 4:11 · UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane · Aug 07, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ciryl Gane 0 16 of 37 43% 16 of 37 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:08
Derrick Lewis 0 98 of 122 80% 112 of 136 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:21
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ciryl Gane 0 3 of 11 27% 3 of 11 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Derrick Lewis 0 26 of 35 74% 26 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Ciryl Gane 0 5 of 10 50% 5 of 10 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:05
Derrick Lewis 0 23 of 29 79% 35 of 41 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:58
3 Ciryl Gane 0 8 of 16 50% 8 of 16 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:03
Derrick Lewis 0 49 of 58 84% 51 of 60 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:23
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ciryl Gane 16 of 37 43% 8 of 24 6 of 11 2 of 2 15 of 36 1 of 1 0 of 0
Derrick Lewis 98 of 122 80% 50 of 69 16 of 21 32 of 32 67 of 89 16 of 17 15 of 16
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ciryl Gane 3 of 11 27% 0 of 5 3 of 6 0 of 0 3 of 11 0 of 0 0 of 0
Derrick Lewis 26 of 35 74% 7 of 12 4 of 8 15 of 15 26 of 35 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Ciryl Gane 5 of 10 50% 2 of 7 1 of 1 2 of 2 5 of 10 0 of 0 0 of 0
Derrick Lewis 23 of 29 79% 6 of 11 7 of 8 10 of 10 17 of 23 6 of 6 0 of 0
3 Ciryl Gane 8 of 16 50% 6 of 12 2 of 4 0 of 0 7 of 15 1 of 1 0 of 0
Derrick Lewis 49 of 58 84% 37 of 46 5 of 5 7 of 7 24 of 31 10 of 11 15 of 16
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
UFC Interim Heavyweight Title Fight: Derrick Lewis vs. Ciryl Gane

Round 1
At long last, we have reached our main event. Lewis (25-7, 1 NC; 16-5 UFC), in front of a home crowd, will vie for the interim heavyweight strap against unbeaten Frenchman Gane (9-0, 6-0 UFC). No matter one’s thoughts on whether this bout should have a belt on the line, or how the promotion is handling champ Francis Ngannou, this should be a very interesting matchup where one wrong move spells the end of the night. The fighters do touch gloves to set the stage for the big fight, and referee Dan Miragliotta draws the final assignment of the evening and braces himself for impact. The crowd is practically exploding as they chant “USA” that shakes the rafters of the Toyota Center. The heavyweights are tense as they measure the other up, with the only strikes a few low kicks from Gane. Lewis fires off a sudden head kick and falls to his back, and Gane pounces but Lewis is up before anything comes of it. Lewis eats a jab and backs off, where he kicks Gane in the side. Gane stomp kicks his foe’s knee as he feints and fakes his way in, lunging out with a jab and another kick to the knee. Gane slaps at his foe’s leg with a few kicks, and Lewis stands in front of him just staring. Lewis comes forward and pushes away a front kick that comes his direction as Gane tries to keep him at bay, and he draws a reaction out of Gane and makes Gane run away across the fence. The Frenchman gets back to the center of the cage and peppers his opponent with push kicks and jabs. Gane sits down on a leg kick, and another follows as Lewis cocks back his right hand. Gane continues to work the knee as Lewis is stuck playing the waiting game, with a body shot that comes as Gane plods forward. A sweeping body kick from Lewis comes up and clanks off the cup, and Gane grimaces as we have our first called foul of the night. Gane signals he is ready after 30 seconds, and Lewis offers an apology of a glove touch. Lewis has his thigh kicked as he tries to work his way in, and Gane catches him with a swift left hand and avoids a strike from “The Black Beast.” Gane slings up a high kick, and his speed is the difference as Lewis charges at him like a rampaging bull. Gane turns tail and runs away, and the crowd erupts in laughter. Gane gathers himself and calms himself down to kick Lewis with a series of body kicks, and Lewis comes up high with a kick that glances off the shoulder. Gane connects with a jab and a right hand that hurts Lewis, and they both wind up with big shots and might have poked the other the eye. Miragliotta tells them to fight on, and Lewis protests as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 2
The heavyweights touch gloves as Gane may have been the recipient of an eye poke in the last round, while Lewis took a punch to the eye socket. He wipes his eye out, and he strides out ready for battle. Lewis slings a jumping switch kick, and when he misses, he sits down on a leg kick that makes Gane change stances. Gane reaches out with a knee as Lewis comes at him, and Lewis sits back while Gane keeps changing stances back and forth – the kick may have done more damage than it looked. Lewis extends his arm and may have poked Gane again, but when it is not called, he crashes forward and tries to pursue a sudden takedown. Gane pushes him away, and when they break, Lewis comes up high with a kick that is blocked. Gane kicks the body, and Lewis counters with a flying knee that bounces off the torso. Gane swings with a low kick, and he jumps forward with a knee to the breadbasket as they clinch up. Gane holds tight and knees Lewis in the thigh repeatedly, and Lewis can do nothing but absorb them one after the other to both legs. The crowd grows restless, and Gane shoves his opponent over but Lewis stays upright by grabbing the top of the cage. Lewis eats a left hand so that he can jump forward with a looping right hook, and it brunches off the target as Gane does not appear concerned. The Frenchman chops at his foe’s lead leg, and he suddenly advances with a straight right hand until they clinch up. Gane holds tight and knees “The Black Beast” in the body, and he clips Gane with a right hand. Gane is ready with an overhand right, and Lewis rolls with it but ate it well. Lewis tries to jump in to attack, but Gane is too elusive and dodges another jumping switch kick. Gane comes up short with a head kick, and the second frame comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Gane
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gane

Round 3
The heavyweights touch gloves, and Lewis begins the round throwing first with a front kick. Gane ignores it and lands a leg kick, and another one nearly buckles Lewis’ leg. Gane goes after the same spot again, and the sound of these blows are significant as Gane turns his hips into them. Gane avoids a right hand, and he pushes his hand out and then chops down the leg of “The Black Beast.” Gane keeps hacking at that leg, and Lewis is not checking or moving with them. Lewis plays chase, but all he can do is walk into battering leg kicks. Lewis tries to close in, but he gets too close and initiates a brief clinch. When they break free, Lewis throws a head kick that is easily blocked. Lewis bails on a body kick halfway through, realizing that Gane is well out of the way. Gane just misses with a step-in elbow, and Lewis tries to trip his man down but Gane grabs the fence to stay upright. Gane keeps his balance, and he gets well out of the way when Lewis throws with bad intentions. Gane smashes Lewis with a leg kick, and Lewis falls back against the fence in clear trouble. Gane attacks with everything he has, laying into his adversary with punches and knees. Lewis does not play possum and is in big trouble, as Gane continues to clobber him with punches and knees. In a flurry, Gane makes Lewis turtle up leaning on the wire, and Lewis spits out his mouthpiece. In a brief break after Lewis gets tagged a few more times but survives, Miragliotta pauses the action to replace his mouthpiece. Although Lewis tries to lob a few desperation bombs, Gane strikes again with another kick and a few punches, and Lewis crumbles to his knees. Lewis protects his face as the onslaught continues, with the Frenchman pounding away while Miragliotta asks Lewis to defend himself. Gane shells his fallen opponent with hammerfists until Miragliotta intervenes, and Gane is now the interim heavyweight champion. Nothing but class, Gane gives love to Lewis and Lewis’ home crowd, his team and everyone that helped him along the way. When asked about his future matchup against former training partner and current champion Francis Ngannou, Gane has a simple message: “Let’s go.” Fight fans and media will get a week off from the UFC next week, although PFL and Bellator will be on tap. When it comes to the next UFC event, the show will be an ESPN offering with an interesting middleweight rumble in the main event. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

The Official Result
Ciryl Gane def. Derrick Lewis R3 4:11 via TKO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Aug 8, 2021 (fight day)
Ciryl Gane

Angelo picks Gane, citing his superior footwork and technical striking. He believes Gane will dance around, land many strikes, and mix in grappling to avoid Lewis's power. He notes that Lewis only needs one punch but that Gane's movement and fight IQ should prevail. He also mentions he has Gane in his DraftKings lineup.

Derek Lewis wins inside the distance (decision no action) - all hosts have that bet
"I think he's just 10 times the fighter that Derek Lewis is... I think he's gonna dance around, land 200 million strikes, probably mix in some grappling as well to avoid those big punches."
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Aug 3, 2021 (4 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Big Brady thinks Gane is the much better fighter with dominant striking stats and excellent range management. He expects Gane to stay on the outside and avoid Lewis's power, possibly finishing late. He predicts a fourth-round KO for Gane, but acknowledges Lewis always has a puncher's chance. He calls Gane the biggest favorite on the card for good reason.

fourth round knockout
"I'll say fourth round ko for Cyril Gane."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Aug 4, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Cody believes Gane will win, using his jab, body kicks, and distance management to outpoint Lewis. He notes Lewis's power but thinks Gane can avoid it and potentially finish via submission or TKO. Cody likes the under 4.5 rounds as a parlay piece and mentions Gane by submission as a value prop.

under 4.5 rounds -185, Gane by submission +450
"i got gone winning um i think the under four and a half rounds minus 185 that's how i would attack this i think that's a pretty solid parlay piece"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Hesitant picked Aug 6, 2021 (1 day before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Daniel Levi picks Ciryl Gane to win the minutes of the fight, citing Gane's technical striking, distance management, and overall skill advantage. However, he is very worried about Derrick Lewis's one-punch knockout power, especially in Houston where Lewis is undefeated. He notes that Gane is still developing and could get caught, but believes Gane is the better fighter and should win if he avoids the big shot. He does not lay the price confidently.

Worried about Lewis's KO power; says 'I'll pick Gane but not confidently'
"I'll pick Gane but not confidently"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Aug 5, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Gane has superior cardio and technical striking. Lewis is dangerous early but fades. Gane can work the body, use kicks, and avoid Lewis's power shots. When Lewis blitzes and fails, Gane can capitalize. Gane may also look for takedowns to dominate. The finish likely comes in the third or fourth round via body shot or TKO. The under 4.5 rounds is a strong play.

under 4.5 rounds -180; Gane by KO/TKO round 3 or 4; Gane inside the distance +110
"I think that this is god's fight from the beginning to the end and I think the end will probably come in the third or fourth round."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Aug 4, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

Paul agrees with Cody that Gane will win, citing Gane's superior distance management, jab, and body kicks. He notes that Derrick Lewis has a puncher's chance but Gane's precision and ring IQ should prevail. Paul expects Gane to win by TKO inside the distance, likely under 4.5 rounds.

under 4.5 rounds -185, Gane by TKO
"i agree with pretty much every point you made i think that gone's gonna get the victory i think god gets the job done you mentioned maybe by submission i'm thinking more of the tko but i think it happens …"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Aug 1, 2021 (6 days before fight)
Ciryl Gane

The MMA Guru picks Ciryl Gane to win by fourth-round body shot TKO. He praises Gane's footwork, distance management, jab, and front kick. He believes Gane's technical striking will outclass Lewis, who relies on power. He notes Lewis' chin but doubts he can land cleanly on Gane. He predicts Gane will break Lewis down and finish with a teep to the stomach.

fourth round tko body shot finish
"i'm gonna go cyril gone here by fourth round teep to the stomach body shot tko"
Tanner Boser - Fight History
LOSS vs Gokhan Saricam
KO R2 4:43 · UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Malott · Apr 18, 2026
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tanner Boser 0 60 of 97 61% 77 of 117 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:30
Gokhan Saricam 1 57 of 121 47% 79 of 145 0 of 4 0% 0 0 1:20
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tanner Boser 0 27 of 45 60% 35 of 54 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:32
Gokhan Saricam 0 28 of 66 42% 38 of 76 0 of 4 0% 0 0 1:10
2 Tanner Boser 0 33 of 52 63% 42 of 63 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:58
Gokhan Saricam 1 29 of 55 52% 41 of 69 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:10
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tanner Boser 60 of 97 61% 30 of 64 9 of 12 21 of 21 47 of 82 13 of 14 0 of 1
Gokhan Saricam 57 of 121 47% 40 of 101 8 of 10 9 of 10 39 of 99 10 of 13 8 of 9
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tanner Boser 27 of 45 60% 11 of 27 7 of 9 9 of 9 23 of 40 4 of 4 0 of 1
Gokhan Saricam 28 of 66 42% 20 of 57 5 of 6 3 of 3 19 of 55 9 of 11 0 of 0
2 Tanner Boser 33 of 52 63% 19 of 37 2 of 3 12 of 12 24 of 42 9 of 10 0 of 0
Gokhan Saricam 29 of 55 52% 20 of 44 3 of 4 6 of 7 20 of 44 1 of 2 8 of 9
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Gokhan Saricam
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Saricam (-160); Boser (+130)

Round 1
About as Canadian as it gets, moderately mulleted Boser (22-10-1, 5-5 UFC) is back on the roster after beating up Vinicius Moreira over in UAE Warriors last year. The Albertan—remember what we said above involving Croden—is aiming to reach a .500 record in the Octagon when he stands across the cage from Bellator expat Saricam (11-2, 0-0 UFC). The heavyweights 34 and 35, respectively, they come in as relative youngsters to a division that is begging for hot commodities. Referee Herb Dean stands firm, ready to take care of the big men no matter where the action leads them. Fists are nearly bumped before they are traded, with the two offering at different times that did not line up.
There is little from the two big men in the early seconds, and as if he heard something that angered him, Boser springs into action and busts Saricam in the face with a fast flurry. He tags Saricam again, and the Turkish athlete counters with a takedown shot. Boser shoves his man back, who trips and falls to his seat. Saricam bounces back up, and they proceed to pitch kicks at one another. Boser swings for the bleachers, and Saricam dips and pops him with a short right hand. Saricam shoots for a double way out of range, and Boser stops it but is backed to the fencing. Boser is warned for grabbing shorts while Saricam grabs the fence, offsetting penalties should result in a repeat first down but nothing ends up happening. They separate, and Boser scores but is dinged with fast counters.
Boser winds up and hurls two big right hands, backing off when a spinning back kick is aimed at his torso. Saricam comes up short winging punches, but his calf kick impacts on Boser’s lead leg coming in. Saricam kicks the same spot, and he blocks a head kick with his elbow. Saricam loops a right hand around the guard after doubling up on a jab, and Boser is quick to get his hands up to defend anything that comes after like a head kick. Saricam boots him in the face with another kick, and the Canadian does not flinch. Boser cracks Saricam, and Saricam fires right back and proceeds to bash the Canadian and knock him to the wall. Boser bounces back and nails Saricam, but Saricam keeps on him and stifles him. Boser turns him about before long, authoring knees to the thigh until he has to fight off a throw effort. Boser separates with seconds to spare, going for two elbows and a spinning back fist as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Saricam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Saricam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Saricam

Round 2
The heavyweights try to find their range early, with Boser getting it first as he slings four punches in rapid succession. Saricam fires off a big right hand to keep Boser honest, allowing Boser to kick him in the lead leg so he can launch two right back. Boser zips a right hand down the middle, and Saricam answers him immediately and effectively. Boser kicks the front leg and looks to initiate his power jab, looping a right hand and getting pushed off his feet when they smash chests together. Boser scrambles to get back to his feet with what was not a knockdown but was a disadvantageous position, and he is able to do so no worse for wear. They tie up in the center of the cage, with Boser staying busy with short elbows on the forehead. The Canadian stomps on his foe’s toes as he keeps things old school.
Boser clings on the Turkish fighter to take some of the steam out of his fists, and he frames off to catch Saricam with two punches before letting go. Saricam slowly works his way forward, ready and willing to bounce back when Boser hurls things at him. Boser keeps going forward with two more big punches, and he appears to hurt Saricam up close with short, strong elbows. Saricam has to blink out the attack and gather a head of steam to fire off three quick punches that force Boser to reevaluate his strategy. Boser throws so far, he nearly topples over, but he recovers and watches Saricam almost do the same. Saricam clips the Canadian behind the ear, sucking wind and advancing to set something big up.
Saricam counters a low kick to release a tremendous right hand that smashes square into the Canadian’s jaw, sending the mulleted man crashing down to the canvas once and for all. To finish the job, Saricam rains down punishment with his fists until Dean has seen enough.
Boser may have been knocked out in the exchange, as he cannot stand up on his own power after the stoppage. Dean and medical staff tend to the Canadian, who is ushered to his stool where he sits to learn what just happened. It is now official: Gokhan Saricam has as many wins (one) in the UFC as legendary kickboxer Gokhan Saki. Let that sink in.

The Official Result
Gokhan Saricam def. Tanner Boser R2 4:43 via TKO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Apr 12, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

Angelo confidently picks Gokhan Saricam, calling him an explosive wrestler who fights like a welterweight. He believes Tanner Boser is only on the card because he's Canadian and will lose. He placed a half-unit bet on Gokhan, surprised the odds are reasonable.

Bet half a unit on Gokhan Saricam moneyline at -155.
"Gokhan's the pick. Easy, breezy, no reason to complicate this. I'm actually surprised to see that these odds are somewhat reasonable."
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean picked Apr 14, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

Big Brady leans toward Gokhan Saricam, citing his wrestling as the key difference. He notes Tanner Boser's history of being taken down by fighters like Khalil Rountree and Latifi. Brady thinks Saricam will dictate the fight with wrestling and win a boring decision.

decision
"I'm going to take Gokhan to come in here and get the job done by decision."
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Apr 15, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

Cody picks Gokhan Saricam, citing his wrestling and size advantage. He notes that Boser has been inactive and struggled against wrestlers. He also mentions the narrative that Saricam's manager Ali Abdelaziz may have set up this fight.

Saricam takedown props
"I think they see something in this fight they like, and I think it's the wrestling, and I'm going to go with that, too. So, I guess Sarcom."
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Lean picked Apr 17, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Tanner Boser

Connor picks Boser because he knows how to fight and can out-hustle Saricam, who is not high-energy. He notes that Boser's only real ability is not getting tired at heavyweight, and that Saricam is a regional-level fighter who gets taken down easily. He acknowledges Boser is too small for heavyweight but believes Saricam is not capable enough to exploit that.

Boser opened at +170, now +138; Saricam opened at -200, now -158
"I'll take Boser to out hustle, to be, to not be tired in round three. That's basically it."
DI
Diary of a Pro Gambler Expert picked Apr 18, 2026 (fight day)

No strong lean either way. Both have poor takedown defense and ground game, so likely a stand-up fight. Boser is durable with good cardio, Saricam is a better boxer but making UFC debut. Too many unknowns for a pre-fight bet.

Boser plus 3.5 fight spread; over 2.5 rounds
"I don't have a strong lean either way, particularly because it's Saricam's UFC debut."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2026 (6 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

James picks Gokhan Saricam to win via decision, citing his better all-around game and wrestling. He notes Boser's experience but thinks Saricam's style matches up well. He is not highly confident due to Saricam's UFC debut.

"I will pick Sarakam to win. I'll actually pick him to win via decision."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Confident picked Apr 15, 2026 (3 days before fight)

The host picks the over 2.5 rounds prop for this fight, not a fighter. He believes both fighters are durable and not finishers, leading to a late-rounds or decision outcome. He also leans Gokhan Saricam to win by decision for a ladder bet.

Over 2.5 rounds (-110), Fight goes to decision (+110), Gokhan Saricam wins by decision (+275)
"It is Tanner Boser versus Gokhan Saki over two and a half rounds at odds of minus 110. Yes, the Hammer of the Week is a 50/50 bet according to the bookies."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Apr 14, 2026 (4 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

The host believes Saricam is the cleaner striker and will land better volume, eventually getting a knockout victory. However, he has some pause due to Boser's pace and pressure. He expects Saricam to counter Boser's pressure with power and slicker striking, finding a big shot to put Boser away.

Saricam by knockout
"I still believe Ser Chaim is the cleaner striker. I think he's the better and ultimately I think he'll be able to land better volume here and I think it eventually leads to him eventually getting that knockout victory."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Apr 15, 2026 (3 days before fight)
Gokhan Saricam

Paul also picks Saricam, citing his wrestling and Boser's inactivity. He notes that Boser has not fought in three years and that Saricam has better recent wins. He also likes Saricam's takedown props.

Saricam takedown props
"I just think the size is going to matter here."
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Lean picked Apr 17, 2026 (1 day before fight)
Tanner Boser

Zane agrees with Connor, noting that Saricam is big enough to test guys but lacks high energy or activity. He points out that Saricam was held down by Oleg Popov and struggled with Daniel James, while Boser at least knows how to fight and can maintain pace. He sees Boser's cardio as the deciding factor.

Boser opened at +170, now +138; Saricam opened at -200, now -158
"I'll take Boser to out hustle, to be, to not be tired in round three. That's basically it."
WIN vs Aleksa Camur
Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font · Aug 05, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tanner Boser 0 120 of 215 55% 145 of 253 0 of 0 --- 0 0 5:27
Aleksa Camur 0 68 of 136 50% 105 of 175 0 of 1 0% 0 0 1:01
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tanner Boser 0 33 of 71 46% 38 of 81 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:12
Aleksa Camur 0 23 of 45 51% 24 of 46 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:50
2 Tanner Boser 0 46 of 70 65% 56 of 84 0 of 0 --- 0 0 3:02
Aleksa Camur 0 19 of 41 46% 37 of 60 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Tanner Boser 0 41 of 74 55% 51 of 88 0 of 0 --- 0 0 2:13
Aleksa Camur 0 26 of 50 52% 44 of 69 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:11
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tanner Boser 120 of 215 55% 78 of 163 24 of 32 18 of 20 87 of 174 33 of 41 0 of 0
Aleksa Camur 68 of 136 50% 34 of 97 25 of 28 9 of 11 46 of 108 22 of 28 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tanner Boser 33 of 71 46% 17 of 50 7 of 10 9 of 11 28 of 64 5 of 7 0 of 0
Aleksa Camur 23 of 45 51% 11 of 29 8 of 10 4 of 6 15 of 36 8 of 9 0 of 0
2 Tanner Boser 46 of 70 65% 36 of 59 6 of 7 4 of 4 31 of 51 15 of 19 0 of 0
Aleksa Camur 19 of 41 46% 8 of 30 9 of 9 2 of 2 9 of 27 10 of 14 0 of 0
3 Tanner Boser 41 of 74 55% 25 of 54 11 of 15 5 of 5 28 of 59 13 of 15 0 of 0
Aleksa Camur 26 of 50 52% 15 of 38 8 of 9 3 of 3 22 of 45 4 of 5 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Aleksa Camur
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Boser (-162), Camur (+136)

Round 1
Justin Brown will be in charge for this light heavyweight matchup. Boser opens with an outside leg kick. Boser catches Camur coming in withh a jab. They trade in close, and Camur lands heavy leather before clinching with Boser against the fence. Camur lands a short elbow in the clinch. Camur separates and lands a jab. Bose with another jab. Camur ducks under a punch and shoves Boser into the fence, landing a pair of knees in the clinch. Boser with an outside leg kick. Boser jabs and Camur responds with a lowkick. Boser lands a right, then a knee in close. Camur responds with a stiff jab. Another jab from Camur before he clinches with Boser. Camur eats an elbow and briefly sweeps Boser, but he’s up immediately. They clinch and Boser connects with a short elbow. Boser doubles up on his jab. He sticks another jab, then lands a two-punch combo. Camur counters a low kick with a solid left hook. Camur forces the clinch, but Boser lands a left on the break. Boser follows up with a head kick, and Camur forces the clinch before the horn.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 2
Both men swing and miss, but Boser lands a kick after the exchnage. Boser ties up with Camur and presses him into the cage. Boser lands a punch on the break. Camur lands a jab but a Boser left stings Camur. The Canadian lands punches in bunches, but Camur keeps his cool. Another big right lands for Boser. Boser moves into the clinch and connects with a short elbow. Boser keeps head pressure against the fence, then lands another short elbow. Boser continues to make Camur work. He creates space and fires off a quick combination — including another elbow. Camur breaks free and attacks the body. That’s short-lived, as Boser flurries with volume, backing up Camur and shoving him into the fence. Boser grinds away in the clinch, adding a few knees to the thigh. They break and Boser tags Camur with multiple punches. Camur lands a knee and elbow in the clinch, but Boser shoves him into the cage again. Boser gives up on a single leg and punches the body. Camur answers with a right and they trade before Boser shoves him back into the wire. Boser backs off in the last 10 seconds and avoids a final offering from Camur.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 3
Boser with a leg kick. Camur has a head kick blocked and they clinch again. Boser makes Camur think about the single leg again. Boser digs the body with punches and Camur answers with a knee before they break. Boser follows a body kick with a series of heavy punches to the head. The Canadian then uses the single to push Camur into the fence again. Boser backs away and they trade. A foot sweep from Camur makes Boser stumble. Camur lands in the pocket, but Boser shoves him back into the fence. The crowd is not pleased with Boser’s approach. Camur breaks free. They collide in the center, with both men swinging . Camur shoves Boser backward but eats a knee to the chin for his efforts. Boser reverses and grinds away in the clinch. Boser backs off and lands a couple jabs. They trade in close, but Boser tags Camur with a series of six to eight unanswered punches. Camur eats them all and remains upright, but he’s exhausted. Boser shoves his man into the fence one more time and lands an elbow before the horn.

Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser (30-27 Boser)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Boser (30-27 Boser)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Boser (30-27 Boser)

The Official Result
Tanner Boser def. Aleksa Camur via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Lean picked Jul 30, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Aleksa Camur

Angelo leans toward Aleksa Camur as an underdog, noting his technical striking and takedowns. He is concerned about Camur's two-year layoff but finds +160 appealing. He suggests the UFC might be feeding Tanner Boser to build up Camur. Angelo plans to watch weigh-ins and may bet if Camur looks good, comparing it to Derrick Lewis's return. He criticizes Boser's -185 price given his 1-4 record and recent knockout loss.

Potential bet on Camur if weigh-ins look good
"I am going to go the Alexa side plus 160 is very appealing"
BI
Big Brady Expert picked Aug 1, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Aleksa Camur

Big Brady calls this the worst fight on the card and has very low confidence. He notes Camur hasn't fought in two years and could have improved, but it's a shot in the dark. He picks Camur by decision with zero confidence, saying if Camur looks the same it's a close fight, but if improved he could beat Boser. He admits he wants nothing to do with this fight.

"I'll take Kamer with the zero confidence and I'll pick him to win by a greasy greasy decision"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Aug 2, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Cody picks Boser based on volume and cardio, expecting a 15-minute decision. He notes Camur's poor cardio and tendency to fade, and believes Boser's leg kicks and output will win the later rounds. He acknowledges Camur's durability and early power, but thinks Boser's gas tank and volume are decisive.

Over 57.5 significant strikes (Boser)
"Tanner Bowser is all volume I think wins this fight down the stretch based on volume"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked Aug 2, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Aleksa Camur

Daniel Levi leans toward Aleksa Camur, citing the upside of a young fighter with a two-year layoff to improve. He notes that Boser is a finished product who gave up his speed advantage by dropping to light heavyweight, and that Boser's debut at 205 was poor. Levi is concerned about Camur's potential shoulder injury but thinks if healthy, Camur's wrestling and athleticism could trouble Boser. He has zero interest in laying a price on Boser and sees this as a dog-or-pass fight.

No specific prop bet mentioned. Notes that the line should be tighter and Camur is getting disrespected.
"I'll pick Kamer to pull off the upside here."
LU
Lucrative James Expert Lean picked Aug 4, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Aleksa Camur

James sides with the dog Camur. He notes Boser is coming off a first-round KO and may be chinny or tentative. Camur is gritty, walks forward, and could get takedowns against Boser, who is terrible off his back. He says if Boser fights a grappler, you bet the grappler.

"I think Alexa Camur... I honestly do."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Aug 4, 2023 (1 day before fight)
Tanner Boser

Boser has combination striking, output, and leg kicks, but struggles with takedown defense. Camur likes to crash the pocket but has been out with nerve damage. Boser should keep on the move, use footwork and leg kicks to damage Camur from distance. I like the over 2.5 rounds most, but no real conviction. Give me Boser by decision.

over 2.5 rounds
"I like the over two and a half the most uh but you know no real convicted spot on this matchup"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Aug 2, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Aleksa Camur

Paul leans towards Camur at plus money, citing his youth, training with Stipe Miocic, and potential improvements during his two-year layoff. He thinks Cody may have overrated Boser's durability and notes Camur's power. However, he is not confident enough to bet it.

"I'm gonna side with K more the time off... I'm going to lean ever so slightly to Kmart but I don't think I'm actually gonna pull the Traeger on an actual bet"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Aug 1, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Aleksa Camur

The host picks Aleksa Camur as an underdog, calling Tanner Boser an 'absolute flake' who is mentally unreliable. He believes Camur, training with Stipe Miocic, will be a step ahead and more well-rounded. He sees Camur winning by decision or possibly a finish. He is surprised Camur is the dog and advises against betting Boser at -185.

line opened +144, now +136; suggests Camur wins by decision or early finish
"give me Alexa Kamer to get the job done"
LOSS vs Ion Cuțelaba
TKO (punches) R1 2:05 · UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen · Apr 15, 2023
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ion Cuțelaba 0 5 of 16 31% 5 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 30 of 40 75% 30 of 40 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:17
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ion Cuțelaba 0 5 of 16 31% 5 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 30 of 40 75% 30 of 40 1 of 1 100% 0 0 0:17
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ion Cuțelaba 5 of 16 31% 5 of 15 0 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 30 of 40 75% 27 of 36 2 of 3 1 of 1 14 of 24 0 of 0 16 of 16
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ion Cuțelaba 5 of 16 31% 5 of 15 0 of 1 0 of 0 5 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 30 of 40 75% 27 of 36 2 of 3 1 of 1 14 of 24 0 of 0 16 of 16
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Ion Cutelaba
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cutelaba (-130), Boser (+110)

Round 1
While there are no heavyweight matches littering the lineup tonight, this next fight may seem like the closest of any. Two men with their backs against the proverbial wall come to blows, when ex-heavyweight Boser (20-9-1, 4-4 UFC) makes his move down in weight having dropped three of his last four. Cutelaba (16-9-1, 1 NC; 5-8-1 UFC) sports the same unsuccessful record the last couple years, so they are both in dire need of a win. Watching out for any nonsense or an errant blow will be referee Keith Peterson, as this potential mad dash begins with a glove touch. The first 30 seconds go by without a strike, and as soon as the crowd turns on them, they surge into action. Both men throw bombs, and Boser gets knocked back and bounces off the cage. Cutelaba flicks out front kicks as Boser backpedals, and the Canadian sticks out a jab to avoid a huge overhand right.
Cutelaba launches a missile of a right hand that collides square on the jaw of the ex-heavyweight, and Boser is on rubber legs and in big trouble as he falls to his knee up against the wall. With sheer force of will, Cutelaba charges in and angrily hurls Boser down on the mat, where he begins to unload his right fist repeatedly with Boser on his knees. Cutelaba continues pounding on the exposed face of Boser, and Boser tries to stand but is wobbled and his head is getting knocked around like a heavy bag.
“The Hulk” keeps on smashing Boser’s noggin until Peterson calls a stop to the fight, with Boser not defending himself or improving his position. This is a huge win for Cutelaba, who ends a long losing streak to get back in the win column in a big way.

The Official Result
Ion Cutelaba def. Tanner Boser R1 2:05 via TKO (Punches)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Apr 9, 2023 (6 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Angelo picks Tanner Boser as an underdog, noting the line has flipped from Boser being a favorite to an underdog. He believes Boser has all the power, chin, and athleticism to win, especially at light heavyweight where he looks in great shape. He notes Cuțelaba has no chin and gets finished in losses. He has a quarter-unit bet on Boser at +105 and may add more.

quarter unit moneyline bet at +105, may add more
"Tanner Bowser is absolutely the pick quarter of a unit on him at plus 105"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Apr 11, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Ion Cuțelaba

Big Brady picks Ion Cuțelaba to win by first-round TKO via ground and pound. He notes Cuțelaba's excellent first-round wrestling and Boser's terrible takedown defense and ground game. However, he warns that Cuțelaba has only one round of gas, so if it goes past the first, Boser could win. He suggests a live bet on Boser if the fight leaves the first round.

first round TKO, live bet on Boser if past first round
"I think kudalaba does get buzzer out of there but this is going to be a good live bet situation"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Ion Cuțelaba

Cody is tentative, wanting to see Boser's weigh-in at 205. He thinks Cuțelaba's wrestling should be effective early, but Boser's cardio and size could be factors. He picks Cuțelaba for now but could switch.

"I'll take ion um until until further notice like I could totally switch this pick"
CO
Connor Ruebusch Expert Hesitant picked Apr 13, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Connor also picks Boser but with hesitation, agreeing that Cuțelaba's erratic style and poor fight IQ make him prone to losing. He notes that Boser's consistent, unimaginative approach may be enough to outlast Cuțelaba's wild aggression. However, Connor warns that dropping to light heavyweight could be a terrible idea for Boser, as the speed of the division may expose him to shots he didn't see at heavyweight.

"I kind of favor Boser here simply because his defining quality at heavyweight was just relentless unimaginative consistency."
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Apr 11, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Ion Cuțelaba

Cuțelaba's wrestling background should be the key against Boser, who has grappling deficiencies. Boser is moving to light heavyweight but still has issues with takedown defense. Cuțelaba is desperate for a win and may revert to his wrestling. However, his confidence and game plan are uncertain after three straight losses. Expect a grinding decision if he uses his wrestling.

"I'm gonna lean kutilaba here I'm going to lead him by decision."
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Apr 12, 2023 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Paul notes Boser has made 205 before and has good striking and cardio. He thinks Cuțelaba will win the first round but gas, allowing Boser to take over. He likes Boser as a live underdog and picks him outright.

Live bet after first round
"I'm gonna go with Tanner Bose I know we've said this in the last prior two fights I'm gonna take the underdog out right in this one"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Apr 11, 2023 (4 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser to win, possibly by finish, as he drops to light heavyweight. He believes Boser's improved physique, footwork, and boxing will overwhelm Cuțelaba, who is on a three-fight losing streak and may be mentally fragile. He notes Cuțelaba's wrestling and durability but thinks Boser's pressure and striking will be too much.

Boser wins by finish (KO/TKO)
"I'm gonna take Tanner Bossier to get a finish"
ZA
Zane Simon Expert Hesitant picked Apr 13, 2023 (2 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Zane picks Boser hesitantly, citing Cuțelaba's tendency to self-destruct and Boser's consistency. He notes that Cuțelaba has become overly reliant on takedowns and burns energy, while Boser is durable and methodical. However, Zane expresses concern about Boser dropping to light heavyweight, as the speed and athleticism of the division may negate his durability advantage.

"I'll take Boser because there's so many ways for Cuțelaba to melt down and self destruct."
Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song · Sep 17, 2022
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Rodrigo Nascimento 0 62 of 115 53% 163 of 220 0 of 0 --- 0 1 0:58
Tanner Boser 0 36 of 86 41% 91 of 149 3 of 7 42% 1 0 8:01
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Rodrigo Nascimento 0 15 of 23 65% 31 of 41 0 of 0 --- 0 1 0:58
Tanner Boser 0 9 of 21 42% 37 of 50 1 of 2 50% 0 0 2:43
2 Rodrigo Nascimento 0 32 of 57 56% 42 of 67 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 15 of 37 40% 18 of 41 1 of 2 50% 1 0 1:48
3 Rodrigo Nascimento 0 15 of 35 42% 90 of 112 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 12 of 28 42% 36 of 58 1 of 3 33% 0 0 3:30
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Rodrigo Nascimento 62 of 115 53% 40 of 87 13 of 16 9 of 12 59 of 112 1 of 1 2 of 2
Tanner Boser 36 of 86 41% 32 of 81 4 of 5 0 of 0 30 of 80 4 of 4 2 of 2
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Rodrigo Nascimento 15 of 23 65% 10 of 17 2 of 2 3 of 4 12 of 20 1 of 1 2 of 2
Tanner Boser 9 of 21 42% 6 of 18 3 of 3 0 of 0 6 of 18 3 of 3 0 of 0
2 Rodrigo Nascimento 32 of 57 56% 20 of 42 6 of 7 6 of 8 32 of 57 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 15 of 37 40% 15 of 36 0 of 1 0 of 0 14 of 36 0 of 0 1 of 1
3 Rodrigo Nascimento 15 of 35 42% 10 of 28 5 of 7 0 of 0 15 of 35 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 12 of 28 42% 11 of 27 1 of 1 0 of 0 10 of 26 1 of 1 1 of 1
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Rodrigo Nascimento
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Boser (-165), Nascimento (+140)

Round 1
Heavyweights take center stage for the only time tonight, with two mid-range competitors in the division that are a couple wins away from a number next to their name. Boser (20-8-1, 4-3 UFC) recently ended a skid by punching out Ovince St. Preux, while Nascimento (8-1, 1 NC; 1-1, 1 NC UFC) thought he was going to do the same against Alan Baudot, only to get flagged for Ritalin. Octagon ranger Mark Smith may get a workout trying to dodge the punches and kicks from these fighters, who have no plan in touching gloves. Nascimento works his way in, and he walks right into a right hand from the Canadian. Nascimento fires back with a clubbing left hand, and he follows it with another that knocks his opponent back. “Yogi Bear” shoots for a takedown, and he elects to lift Boser up in the air and deposit him to the mat not-so-gingerly. Nascimento lands in half guard, and he isolates the left wrist with a two-on-one wrist control in an attempt to pass. Boser does not fall for it, and he recovers his guard, so Nascimento thanks him with several heavy punches on the side. Boser smacks Nascimento a few times from his back to keep him honest, and he is hanging on tight in hopes of a referee standup. Boser has his hands clasped around the waist, and this prohibits Nascimento from getting any significant leverage to drop down noteworthy ground-and-pound. Boser explodes in hopes of bucking the larger man off his hips, but when that does not succeed, he sucks Nascimento back into his guard. Smith asks the Brazilian to keep working or he will lose the position, and Boser attempts multiple times to scramble. The Canadian works his way towards the wall, and he spins through a back take attempt to drill Nascimento with a few left hands. Nascimento stands up with his back to the wire, and he gets uppercutted before Boser pushes off. Boser sticks and moves with jabs and a leg kick, but one overhand right from Nascimento shakes Boser up. Boser decides to clinch up again to stop these strikes from landing, and he presses forward with his shoulder on the chest to keep Nascimento pinned. Boser sneaks an elbow up to break, and he kicks the body when they separate. Nascimento fires off a high kick that misses the mark, and he counters a leg kick with a pair of swatting hooks. Boser rings Nascimento’s bell with a right hand, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento

Round 2
Nascimento is the immediate aggressor as he marches forward to engage, and it is Boser who lands first with two looping punches. Boser fires off a leg kick, Nascimento does the same, and the power of Nascimento is giving Boser some issues. Boser is the sharper striker, with jabs and straighter punches, but the looping strikes from Nascimento are knocking the Canadian back even when guarded. Boser sticks the jab and wings a hook, and Nascimento answers him with the same blow. Boser snaps out several more jabs, and he has a kick checked. Boser punches the body and remains mobile, and he staggers Nascimento with a left hand. Boser loads up on several more punches that careen off the guard, and he backs Nascimento up with his barrage. Boser does not burn himself up or empty the gas tank searching for a finish, and he goes back to his rhythm that includes stance switches and active movement. “Yogi Bear” lumbers forward, lobbing picnic baskets that are his massive fists, and Boser takes a few on the chin but avoids the others. The forward momentum from Nascimento allows him to dump Boser down to the ground, and he falls forward and into a back take opportunity. Boser defends his neck, but he sits up and punches behind his head. As he does this, Nascimento snakes the arm around and ties up the rear-naked choke. Boser signals to Smith that he is fine, and he spins around to his back to escape the choke. Nascimento attempts to move from half guard to the mount position, and Boser stops him from doing so and spams short punches. Nascimento lands a pair of blows as he rides out the round on top.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 3
The Brazilian starts out in an effort to stalk Boser down and possibly close the distance for a takedown, but Boser is on his bike. Nascimento is slower but still lands a few punches, while Boser slips and jabs him. Boser gets caught with a short hook as he tries to get in his groove, and Nascimento changes levels to secure a tackling takedown. Boser hooks his arm over the fence and is not called on it, but it does not prevent him from getting put on his back. Nascimento smothers from on top, with Boser’s guard closed, and Nascimento occasionally gets some strikes going from on top. The Brazilian shifts to half guard, and Smith tells him to start working. Nascimento hangs out on top and scores a few punches before grabbing Boser’s left leg and holding it up strangely. Boser tries to burst out of the posture, but he does not have the energy or power to get the man 30-something pounds heavier off of him. Nascimento lands a single right hand in hopes of staving Smith off, and Boser recovers his guard. The Brazilian stays pinned to Boser like a cheap suit, occasionally smacking him with a closed fist, but doing little in the way of damaging ground strikes. Smith is watching closely, and he intervenes to stand them up with 35 seconds left in the fight. Boser climbs to his feet and starts throwing bombs, and he drills Nascimento with an uppercut when Nascimento shoots for a takedown. Boser hurts the Brazilian with a combination, and he tries to follow it with a head kick. Nascimento responds with a knee to the body, and Boser chases him down and swings everything he has with several punches until the grueling matchup comes to an end.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)

The Official Result
Rodrigo Nascimento def. Tanner Boser via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Hesitant picked Sep 14, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Angelo picks Boser, citing his athleticism and striking, but acknowledges Nascimento's size and grappling edge. He notes that Boser has been bullied by bigger wrestlers before, but Nascimento's layoff may help Boser. Angelo is hesitant and does not recommend betting on this fight.

No bet recommended.
"i like tanner boser here to get the win uh this is a tough tough fight to pick"
BI
Big Brady Expert Lean picked Sep 13, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Rodrigo Nascimento

Big Brady leans with Rodrigo Nascimento to win by first-round submission. He views this as a striker vs. grappler matchup: Boser has the clear striking advantage, while Nascimento is a BJJ black belt with slick submissions. Brady notes that Boser has struggled when taken down (e.g., against Ilir Latifi) and may not have a good get-up game. He also mentions that Nascimento is the younger fighter (29) and trains at American Top Team. However, Brady acknowledges that if Nascimento cannot get the takedown, Boser could knock him out. He calls the line 50/50.

first round submission
"i'll say nascimento wins by first round submission against tanner boza"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Confident picked Sep 14, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Cody thinks Boser is faster, more mobile, and has better cardio. He notes Nascimento's poor performances against Chris Daukaus and Alan Baudot, and that Boser can out-volume him. However, he cautions that heavyweight fights are volatile and Boser has been off for 15 months.

"i'm expecting to see a lot just more improvements over tanner poser overall"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Lean picked Sep 14, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Daniel Levi leans Tanner Boser but is not confident. He notes Boser's volume striking and durability, but worries about Nascimento's jiu-jitsu if the fight goes to the ground. He thinks Boser can piece him up on the feet, but Nascimento has a reach advantage and a questionable chin. He does not bet due to the uncertainty.

"I'm a lean bozer but i'm not sure man i really don't know"
JA
Jacob Lines Expert Confident picked Sep 14, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Jacob picks Boser, believing his speed and footwork will keep the fight standing, where he has the advantage. He notes that Nascimento needs takedowns but may not be quick enough to close the distance. Jacob warns against betting on heavyweights but thinks Boser wins a striking battle.

Advises not to bet on heavyweights.
"i think this is quite simply tanner keeps his distance in and out is able to outstrike rodrigo"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Sep 16, 2022 (1 day before fight)
Rodrigo Nascimento

Nascimento is the bigger man and has a clear grappling advantage. Boser is a technical striker but struggles to get back to his feet when taken down, as seen in the Latifi fight. Nascimento should drag Boser to the ground and control him for 15 minutes. Boser's recent knockout power is a threat, but Nascimento's size and pressure should be enough to grind out a decision.

Nascimento by decision at +700 is live
"I think that nasamento can get a hold of him drag him to the ground and from there I think he's going to be too heavy and too difficult to get up from under so give me nasamento"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Confident picked Sep 14, 2022 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Paul agrees, noting Boser's high volume and that Nascimento has looked poor. He likes Boser's prize picks line of 35.5 significant strikes, thinking it's too low. He also mentions Boser's speed and cardio advantages.

Boser over 35.5 significant strikes
"bozer's a pretty high volume guy as long as he's not getting taken down held on his back"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Sep 13, 2022 (4 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser by KO in the first round. He thinks Boser has good hands for heavyweight, is young, and is underrated. He notes Boser held his own against Ciryl Gane and arguably beat Ilir Latifi. He believes Nascimento is slow and sloppy on the feet, as seen against Chris Daukaus, and that Boser's quick hands in the pocket will lead to a multiple-punch combination finish late in the first round.

KO in the first round
"i'm going with tanebosa by ko in the first round here"
KO (punches) R2 2:31 · UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Volkov · Jun 26, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tanner Boser 1 33 of 72 45% 33 of 72 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:16
Ovince Saint Preux 0 9 of 21 42% 12 of 26 1 of 5 20% 0 0 1:12
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tanner Boser 0 25 of 53 47% 25 of 53 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Ovince Saint Preux 0 8 of 18 44% 8 of 18 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
2 Tanner Boser 1 8 of 19 42% 8 of 19 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:16
Ovince Saint Preux 0 1 of 3 33% 4 of 8 1 of 4 25% 0 0 1:12
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tanner Boser 33 of 72 45% 10 of 44 10 of 15 13 of 13 31 of 69 1 of 1 1 of 2
Ovince Saint Preux 9 of 21 42% 2 of 13 6 of 7 1 of 1 9 of 21 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tanner Boser 25 of 53 47% 4 of 29 9 of 12 12 of 12 25 of 53 0 of 0 0 of 0
Ovince Saint Preux 8 of 18 44% 2 of 11 5 of 6 1 of 1 8 of 18 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Tanner Boser 8 of 19 42% 6 of 15 1 of 3 1 of 1 6 of 16 1 of 1 1 of 2
Ovince Saint Preux 1 of 3 33% 0 of 2 1 of 1 0 of 0 1 of 3 0 of 0 0 of 0
AN
Angelo Bodetti Expert Confident picked Jun 23, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ovince Saint Preux

Angelo picks Ovince Saint Preux, hoping that Boser's forward pressure will bring out volume in OSP. He notes OSP has more ways to win and hits hard, but his issue is low output. Angelo has a moneyline bet on OSP at plus odds. He likes more/more on the strike line.

"i think tanner boser comes in here brings the pressure puts it on oven saint prue but i'm hoping that that forward pressure and sort of the weirdness in some of his style brings out the volume in osp and …"
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 22, 2021 (4 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Big Brady picks Tanner Boser to win by decision, citing his superior striking output (4.21 sig strikes/min) and defense (63%), while OSP has low volume and negative strike differential. He notes OSP's reach advantage but thinks Boser's speed and youth will be key. He worries about judges after Boser's recent close losses but believes Boser should win if he out-lands OSP. He is not confident betting Boser due to judging.

by decision, not confident betting due to judges
"i'm gonna take bose to win by decision i think he's gonna out point osp"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Hesitant picked Jun 23, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Cody picks Tanner Boser but with low confidence. He notes Boser has lost his last two as a favorite, but those were questionable decisions. He argues Boser has speed and size advantages, and OSP is past his prime, missing weight recently, and looked lethargic. He thinks Boser can stuff takedowns and keep the fight standing. However, he warns against heavy exposure due to Boser's recent losses and OSP's veteran savvy.

"i gotta go with bozer but i i want to say i've learned my lesson on those last two losses so i don't want too much exposure on him"
JA
Jacob Lines Expert picked Jun 23, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ovince Saint Preux

Jacob says he has no idea who will win this fight but hopes OSP wins. He picks OSP with heart rather than logic. He would stay away from both guys in DraftKings.

"i have no idea who's gonna win this fight i think it's gonna be a ton of fun i hope uh osp wins you know i like osp nothing against tanner bozer but i think this is gonna be a …"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jun 24, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Boser's leg kick is the main ingredient in his wins, and he should establish it against Saint Preux. OSP's cardio issues will surface after the first round, allowing Boser to take over with bigger strikes. Boser will shuck off desperation takedowns and outstrike OSP over 15 minutes. The longer the fight goes, the more it favors Boser. OSP's submission threat is there but his top control and wrestling aren't good enough to keep Boser down.

Boser by decision plus 175; fight goes to decision plus 110
"I think bozo will start to take over with you know starting off with that leg kick... I do expect him to go out there and outstrike saint prue over 15 minutes and take home a unanimous decision victory"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jun 23, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Paul leans toward Tanner Boser, citing speed advantage and OSP's poor performance at heavyweight. He notes OSP missed weight and is 37, with his best days behind him. However, he is not confident because Boser didn't look great against Latifi and has lost two straight as a favorite. He thinks OSP's path is takedowns, but Boser's takedown defense should hold.

"i would lean towards tanner bozer here but he didn't look great against elir letifi so it's not a spot that i really love"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jun 21, 2021 (5 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser by first-round KO, citing OSP's hesitancy and declining chin. He notes Boser's anger from his loss to Ilir Latifi and believes he will come out aggressive. He criticizes OSP's grappling and aging, predicting Boser will land combination punches against the cage and finish him early.

first round KO
"i'm going with tanabosa by ko"
LOSS vs Ilir Latifi
Decision (split) (29–28, 27–29, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai · Jun 05, 2021
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Ilir Latifi 0 45 of 105 42% 84 of 153 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:42
Tanner Boser 0 10 of 38 26% 51 of 98 2 of 3 66% 0 0 6:38
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Ilir Latifi 0 8 of 28 28% 14 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:20
Tanner Boser 0 1 of 12 8% 6 of 17 1 of 1 100% 0 0 2:03
2 Ilir Latifi 0 34 of 71 47% 35 of 73 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:22
Tanner Boser 0 6 of 21 28% 6 of 21 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:21
3 Ilir Latifi 0 3 of 6 50% 35 of 44 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 3 of 5 60% 39 of 60 1 of 1 100% 0 0 4:14
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Ilir Latifi 45 of 105 42% 32 of 84 11 of 19 2 of 2 28 of 79 4 of 9 13 of 17
Tanner Boser 10 of 38 26% 8 of 33 2 of 4 0 of 1 10 of 38 0 of 0 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Ilir Latifi 8 of 28 28% 6 of 25 2 of 3 0 of 0 6 of 24 2 of 4 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 1 of 12 8% 1 of 11 0 of 1 0 of 0 1 of 12 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Ilir Latifi 34 of 71 47% 25 of 57 8 of 13 1 of 1 19 of 49 2 of 5 13 of 17
Tanner Boser 6 of 21 28% 5 of 18 1 of 2 0 of 1 6 of 21 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Ilir Latifi 3 of 6 50% 1 of 2 1 of 3 1 of 1 3 of 6 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 3 of 5 60% 2 of 4 1 of 1 0 of 0 3 of 5 0 of 0 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Ilir Latifi

Round 1
In the first of a trio of heavyweight slobberknockers tonight, Boser (19-7-1, 3-2 UFC) will try to get back on the winning track at the expense of the skidding ex-light heavyweight Latifi (14-8, 1 NC; 7-6 UFC). Keeping tabs on this match between big men is referee Herb Dean, and there is a respectful glove touch to start things off. Boser keeps a healthy distance early, landing leg kicks from afar and avoiding the reaching strikes of “The Sledgehammer.” Latifi catches him on the way in, and Boser is able to get out of the way to avoid the brunt of the damage. The Canadian sticks out a jab and fires out a body kick, but the kick gets caught and Latifi throws him down to the ground. The Swede climbs into his foe’s guard, and he steps over to half guard with working on Boser with slow, methodical strikes. Boser recovers his guard without taking much damage, but Latifi slices over to the other side. Latifi latches on with an arm-triangle choke from above, using his full body weight as a smothering device more than actual technique from a choke. Boser explodes out of danger and back to his feet, where he grinds Latifi against the wire. Latifi pushes off thanks to an elbow, and Boser is right there to pop him in the face with a left hand. Boser sits down on a huge right hand, but Latifi crashes in to avoid it and try to throw his own bomb. As a result, neither man connect, and they back off to measure their range. Latifi eats a crisp jab, and slaps another away as he can do nothing but absorb a subsequent body kick. A quick Boser right hand concludes the opening frame.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Latifi
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Latifi
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Latifi

Round 2
Boser offers a glove touch to begin the second frame, and he snaps out a jab and ducks out of the way from an oncoming counter. Latifi presses forward to swing a looping left hand, and Boser takes it on the chin and responds with an uppercut. Boser stabs the body with a kick, and he stutter-steps his way in to connect with a right hand and not fall into a clinch. Boser chips away with a body kick, and he comes over the top with a big right hand that glances off the forward bow. Latifi prepares counter left hands, so Boser elects to jab from a distance and sling body kicks that Latifi cannot properly retaliate against. Boser pops out a crisp jab, breaking up a plodding Latifi’s forward movement. Both men trade leg kicks, and “The Bulldozer” tries to knock Latifi over with a head kick that careens off the high guard. Several sticking left hands from Boser find the mark, and Latifi comes back over the top with a single right hand that makes Boser’s mullet shake. The Canadian is no worse for wear from the blow, and Boser reaches out his fist and pokes Latifi in the eye with his thumb. Latifi falls over in pain, but Dean does not recognize the blow, so Boser tries to finish the job with an onslaught of strikes. Boser pounds away on his opponent as Latifi turtles up, and Dean tells him to fight back. This leads Latifi to bursting back to his feet, where he turns him around and even pursues a takedown that falls short. Latifi appears to have recovered, even if his sight may be compromised, and Boser walks him down with punches and a body kick. Boser stays loose and active from a distance, snapping out jabs and body kicks as Latifi is frustrated. Latifi walks away before the round ends, but Boser cannot capitalize on this and time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 3
Between rounds, Dean calls in the doctor to examine Latifi’s eye. Latifi says he can see, so the fight continues, and the two touch gloves. Boser sticks out a jab, and Latifi is there to meet him with two looping hooks that bounce off his opponent’s shoulders. Boser backs him off with a few jabs, and he ducks down to tag Latifi with a left hand. “The Sledgehammer” gathers himself and ducks down with a double leg takedown, where he slams Boser to his back and may have hurt Boser by landing head-first. Boser punches with both hands as if he were Sakuraba from his back, and Latifi gloms on to him and keeps his full body weight pressed down. Latifi slowly works Boser’s body and head from above, which may not be individually effective, but are adding up. Boser keeps an open guard and tries to buck and kick off, and this does not succeed, allowing Latifi to keep pounding away on him. “The Sledgehammer” keeps landing his sledgehammers as he tries to break Canadian stone, all while the control time is rapidly accumulating for the Swede. Boser paws at Latifi with a line of short right hands, and he tries to sit up but gets easily pushed over. Latifi climbs into half guard as he squeezes down on his adversary, and a few more punches connect before the slow fight ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Latifi (29-28 Latifi)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Latifi (29-28 Latifi)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Latifi (29-28 Latifi)

The Official Result
Ilir Latifi def. Tanner Boser via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jun 1, 2021 (4 days before fight)
Ilir Latifi

Big Brady thinks the line is off and Latifi has a clear path to victory via takedowns. He notes Boser's 100% takedown defense is untested against real wrestlers, and regional tape shows Boser being taken down and controlled. He points out Latifi took down Derrick Lewis three times and controlled him for nine minutes. He is not impressed with Boser's last performance against Arlovski and predicts Latifi wins by decision.

"i'm gonna i'm gonna take a shot on the dog here with otifi"
CO
Cody Saftic Expert Lean picked Jun 2, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ilir Latifi

Cody leans toward Latifi, agreeing with Paul. He notes Boser has not faced a wrestler like Latifi and that Latifi's takedowns could be key. Cody is concerned about Latifi's age and recent losses but sees value. He calls it a dogger pass but is tempted.

"it's a dogger pass situation for me just because i think bozer has been lucky"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Hesitant picked Jun 3, 2021 (2 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Daniel picks Boser but is not confident due to unknown grappling defense. He notes that Boser is a natural heavyweight with twice the output and better point fighting, but if Latifi pins him against the fence or mixes in takedowns, Boser could be exploited. Daniel admits he hasn't seen Boser tested in grappling recently, so the pick is tentative. He expects Boser to outpoint Latifi if the fight stays at range, but acknowledges Latifi's power and clinch work could be problematic.

"i'll pick tanner but it's not a confident pick because of those reasons i mentioned"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Lean picked Jun 4, 2021 (1 day before fight)
Tanner Boser

Boser has good striking and volume, but his takedown defense is a question mark. Latifi will try to grapple, but Boser's cardio and movement should allow him to win a decision if he can stay standing.

Boser by decision +190, fight goes distance -120
"I'm going to go with the canadian and that's not a canadian bias"
PA
Paul Shaughnessy Expert Lean picked Jun 2, 2021 (3 days before fight)
Ilir Latifi

Paul picks Latifi as a dog, citing his takedown ability and Boser's lack of wrestling defense. He notes Latifi took down Derrick Lewis and thinks he can do the same to Boser. Paul is concerned about Latifi's age and recent form but sees value at +170. He already bet Latifi at +180.

"give me the sledgehammer elire latifi plus 170 is fine i had the plus 180"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked May 30, 2021 (6 days before fight)
Ilir Latifi

The Guru picks Ilir Latifi as an underdog, believing his grappling will be too much for Tanner Boser. He notes Latifi picked up Derrick Lewis and dunked him, so he expects similar success against Boser. He predicts Latifi will control the fight with takedowns and top control, winning a 30-27 unanimous decision.

unanimous decision, 30-27
"i'm going with ali latifi here i think he's going to out grapple tanebosa for three rounds"
LOSS vs Andrei Arlovski
Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) R3 5:00 · UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira · Nov 07, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Andrei Arlovski 0 34 of 82 41% 34 of 82 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 68 of 119 57% 68 of 119 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Andrei Arlovski 0 6 of 16 37% 6 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 16 of 25 64% 16 of 25 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Andrei Arlovski 0 13 of 31 41% 13 of 31 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 23 of 39 58% 23 of 39 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
3 Andrei Arlovski 0 15 of 35 42% 15 of 35 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Tanner Boser 0 29 of 55 52% 29 of 55 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Andrei Arlovski 34 of 82 41% 16 of 53 6 of 13 12 of 16 33 of 81 1 of 1 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 68 of 119 57% 16 of 58 6 of 9 46 of 52 68 of 118 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Andrei Arlovski 6 of 16 37% 2 of 8 2 of 3 2 of 5 6 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 16 of 25 64% 4 of 10 0 of 0 12 of 15 16 of 25 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Andrei Arlovski 13 of 31 41% 6 of 21 2 of 4 5 of 6 13 of 31 0 of 0 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 23 of 39 58% 5 of 18 5 of 6 13 of 15 23 of 39 0 of 0 0 of 0
3 Andrei Arlovski 15 of 35 42% 8 of 24 2 of 6 5 of 5 14 of 34 1 of 1 0 of 0
Tanner Boser 29 of 55 52% 7 of 30 1 of 3 21 of 22 29 of 54 0 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Andrei Arlovski vs. Tanner Boser

Round 1
Our co-main event comes in the form of a heavyweight battle between two smaller men in the division in former champ Arlovski (29-19, 2 NC; 18-13, 1 NC UFC) and majestically mulleted Boser (19-6-1, 3-1 UFC). The chief in the cage is referee Mark Smith, who will keep things above board for this respectful matchup – judging by the fact that the two touched gloves before coming out swinging. As Boser feints and fakes around the outside, his Canadian passport bounces beautifully behind him, but neither man commit to a strike for the first 40 seconds of the fight until Boser kicks the lead leg. Arlovski checks it, and the action again pauses. Boser throws out a leg kick, and this time Arlovski is unable to check it. Boser attempts to kick with the other foot, and it clacks off the knee, prompting Arlovski to throw a big right hand at him. As soon as Arlovski switches stances, Boser kicks the other leg. Arlovski throws a head kick at the Canadian, but Boser is able to block it in time. Another leg kick from Boser glances off the knee, and Arlovski blocks a head kick with relative ease. Arlovski returns with a leg kick, and he fakes a superman punch to make Boser rush backwards. Boser steps back in and lands a left hand as Arlovski slings a hard left hand at him, interrupting the strike and getting out of danger in time. A pair of leg kicks from Arlovski fall short of the mark, and he checks a leg kick as both men do not commit to many blows. Arlovski guards against a right hand and has his own leg kick checked. Boser chips away at him with his lead leg kick, and Arlovski steps through it to swing a head kick that is well away from his intended target. Boser hops in with a pair of punches, but they cannot land so he instead scores a leg kick from each foot. The round ends as Arlovski drills Boser on the jaw with a right hand, landing the most consequential strike in the first five minutes.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-10
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 2
The two heavyweights touch gloves to begin the round, and Arlovski misses first with a leg kick. Boser returns fire with a leg kick, so Arlovski sits down on one of his own. Boser jabs his way forward but nothing lands, so Boser peppers the lead leg with another kick. Arlovski drops his arm to block a kick, and this interrupts a left hand he was about to throw. Inactivity begins to plague this round like much of the last, until Arlovski throws an unexpected hook kick that brushes past the hair. Boser tries to make him pay but misses, and Arlovski comes back at him with a right hand. Arlovski partially lands a one-two, and as Boser pushes out a front kick, the former champ scores a right hand on the chest that pushes Boser back. The Canadian gathers himself and re-introduces Arlovski to his leg kick, which is starting to mark up Arlovski’s knee. Arlovski flicks out a few front kicks to get Boser to guess, and when Boser walks his way forward, Arlovski stings him with a power right hand. Boser stalks Arlovski down and lands a leg kick, but Arlovski chambers a right hand that just misses. Arlovski steps in with a hard inside leg kick, and Boser fires an outside kick back at Arlovski’s leg. The heavyweights crash together and land a few strikes on the inside before pushing off to gain separation. Arlovski stalks Boser down and slings a head kick, but it slaps off the arm as Boser trips against the cage. Boser lands a punch to the body, and Arlovski stuns him with a right hand. One brief final exchange concludes the round.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski

Round 3
The two big men touch gloves to check in the last round, and Boser bails on a leg kick right before it lands. Arlovski’s front kick is similarly inaccurate, but the ex-champ does land a kick with either leg. Boser tags Arlovski and may have hurt him with a right hand, but instead of chasing him down and falling into a counter, he opts to step back and chop away at Arlovski’s left leg. Arlovski sees on coming and checks it, and he scores to the body after Boser lands an overhand left. Boser is inches away from getting off a one-two, but he sits down on twin leg kicks to make Arlovski simply look at them. Arlovski walks forward and hammers the inside thigh, and his head kick goes way off the mark. The Canadian tries a spinning back fist, but Arlovski ignores it as he blocks it and steps forward to clock Boser with a right hand. Boser shrugs it off to stride forward, and he sneaks a left hand around the guard. Arlovski charges in with a short surge of punches, and he catches Boser at the end of one. Boser gets a kick off to the lead leg, but Arlovski again blitzes forward and sends the mullet flying with a short punch salvo. Boser eats them like poutine and keeps attacking the lead leg, and Arlovski has started to change his stances as he cannot check all of them and his knee is starting to turn purple. Arlovski double jabs his way forward, and he blocks a telegraphed right hand to press forward. Boser comes up short with a head kick, and Arlovski stings him at the end of a long string of punches with a right hand. Boser bounces off the cage and reapplies himself to attack, and when he wades forward, Arlovski counters him with an overhand right. As Arlovski advances, a right hand clanks off the jaw and the former champ appears unfazed. Boser carries on with leg kick after leg kick, but Arlovski chases after him with punches. The round ends in the midst of an exchange, and scorecards could be all over the map in this one.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (30-28 Arlovski)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (30-28 Arlovski)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Arlovski (29-28 Arlovski)

The Official Result
Andrei Arlovski def. Tanner Boser via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Nov 3, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Big Brady is confident in Boser, noting his volume, leg kicks, and Arlovski's 12 knockout losses. He predicts a knockout in the second round, citing the small cage favoring Boser. He suggests looking at the knockout prop.

knockout prop, second round knockout
"I like bozer a lot... give me tanner boser to knock out arvoloski"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Nov 6, 2020 (1 day before fight)
Tanner Boser

Daniel Levi picks Tanner Boser, calling him Canada's top prospect. He believes Boser is faster, throws at a higher pace, and can surpass Arlovski's output. Levi thinks Boser can win by decision or even knockout, as Arlovski's recent wins have been close decisions against lower-level competition. He sees this as Boser's biggest career win.

"i'm gonna roll with canada's own tanner bozo i've been very impressed with him he's very solid in the heavyweight division i think he's gonna get the biggest win of his career"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Nov 2, 2020 (5 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The host picks Tanner Boser to win by decision, emphasizing Boser's leg kicks as the key to slowing down Arlovski and opening up his hands. He notes Arlovski's durability and movement but believes Boser's consistency and volume will earn him a decision. He mentions Boser is a solid parlay piece and that Arlovski makes fights closer than they should be.

He prefers the decision prop over inside the distance, as Boser is not a notorious finisher. He also has a live parlay including Boser at -110 for 2 units.
"I like bozer to win this fight by decision i think he has a solid shot here minus 250 i don't mind that spot"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Lock picked Nov 1, 2020 (6 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The MMA Guru picks Tanner Boser to win by first-round TKO, calling it his lock of the night. He believes Boser has the technical advantage and patience to pick apart Arlovski, chopping at the legs and setting up a big hook. He contrasts Boser with other heavyweights who have failed against Arlovski due to lack of technique.

first round TKO
"this is my lock manner this is where i think i know exactly what happens"
TKO (punches) R2 2:36 · UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till · Jul 26, 2020
Totals
FighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
Tanner Boser 0 43 of 60 71% 43 of 60 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:06
Raphael Pessoa 0 12 of 36 33% 13 of 37 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Per Round
RdFighterKDSig. Str.Sig. Str. % Total Str.TDTD % Sub. AttRev.Ctrl
1 Tanner Boser 0 15 of 24 62% 15 of 24 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
Raphael Pessoa 0 5 of 16 31% 5 of 16 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:00
2 Tanner Boser 0 28 of 36 77% 28 of 36 0 of 0 --- 0 0 0:06
Raphael Pessoa 0 7 of 20 35% 8 of 21 0 of 1 0% 0 0 0:00
Significant Strikes
FighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
Tanner Boser 43 of 60 71% 15 of 31 7 of 7 21 of 22 34 of 48 0 of 0 9 of 12
Raphael Pessoa 12 of 36 33% 6 of 28 2 of 2 4 of 6 12 of 35 0 of 1 0 of 0
Significant Strikes Per Round
RdFighterSig. Str.Sig. Str. % HeadBodyLeg DistanceClinchGround
1 Tanner Boser 15 of 24 62% 3 of 11 1 of 1 11 of 12 15 of 24 0 of 0 0 of 0
Raphael Pessoa 5 of 16 31% 2 of 11 1 of 1 2 of 4 5 of 16 0 of 0 0 of 0
2 Tanner Boser 28 of 36 77% 12 of 20 6 of 6 10 of 10 19 of 24 0 of 0 9 of 12
Raphael Pessoa 7 of 20 35% 4 of 17 1 of 1 2 of 2 7 of 19 0 of 1 0 of 0
Play-by-Play
View on Sherdog
Tanner Boser vs. Raphael Pessoa

Round 1
Leaping up to the heavyweight division, Boser (18-6-1, 2-1 UFC) tries to keep his momentum going against once-beaten Brazilian Pessoa (10-1, 1-1 UFC). Keeping tabs on this 499-pound rumble is referee Herb Dean, and with a tough of gloves the cage is sealed. The two big men keep a wide berth as they try to find an angle to get, and Pessoa swings and misses with a wheel kick. Boser stands back and chops at him with a single leg kick. Pessoa responds to a jab that comes short with his own low kick. Boser and his mighty mullet stalk the Brazilian down, but neither are committing to anything of note. Boser lets fly another leg kick, and Pessoa practically ignores it. The Canadian tries to jab his way in to wing a right hand, but nothing lands besides one of his leg kicks at the end. Pessoa attacks back, and he also misses with the lion’s share of his strikes. Boser winds up on a leg kick, and he darts out of the way when Pessoa charges after him before landing an inside leg kick. They jab one another at the same time, and Boser stings him with another heavy leg kick. Pessoa puts on the pressure but does not throw a single strike, disengaging before swinging leather. Boser swings and misses with a hellish overhand right, and Pessoa stays on the outside with a quick leg kick. Boser responds with one of his own, and sets up a right jab to a windmilling left hook. Boser evades a spinning back kick, and sneaks in another low kick. The output is tragically low in this first round, and Boser puts his version of a stamp on it with a slapping leg kick.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Boser
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Boser

Round 2
A touch of gloves opens the second, and Boser whips a leg kick to start things off. Although practically the only strike of note that Boser has landed, there is some discoloration and swelling on the lead leg of the Brazilian. Boser throws another at the same spot, and Pessoa finally checks it. Boser backs away to land two, and Pessoa is ready with two looping hooks that make Boser’s hair flip back. Pessoa rushes in and tries to clinch, but Boser gets away and keeps battering the lead leg on the inside and outside. As he targets the leg again, Pessoa winds up with a booming right hand that just misses the mark, and Boser fires back at him but also comes up short. They partially connect at the end of jabs, and when Pessoa gives him a leg kick to think about,
Boser winds up with a blistering left hook that glances off the cheek. “Bebezao” stumbles back to the cage, and slumps over clutching his eye – there was no poke, it was a clean punch – so “The Bulldozer” buries him with a frightening salvo of hammerfists and looping punches. Dean stands around while Boser keeps swinging with reckless abandon, and finally steps in to save Pessoa, who is practically in the fetal position while turtled up trying to protect his head.
With that, we get our first finish of the evening, and Boser is the first man to stop the Brazilian with strikes.

The Official Result
Tanner Boser def. Raphael Pessoa R2 2:36 via TKO (Punches)
BI
Big Brady Expert Confident picked Jul 22, 2020 (4 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Big Brady picks Boser, citing his speed and leg kicks. He thinks Boser is the better striker and will attack Pessoa's lead leg. He is concerned about the quick turnaround and jet lag but still expects Boser to win a decision. He notes Pessoa has never been finished by KO.

Boser by decision
"I bozo should win this fight I think he's a better overall fighter honestly"
DA
Daniel Levi Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

Daniel picks Boser, citing his speed, sharpness, and striking knowledge. He thinks Pessoa is wild and sloppy, leaving openings. He notes Boser's quick turnaround but believes if Boser doesn't back up, he should find a knockout. He thinks the line is a bit high but still favors Boser.

"i'm gonna go with bozer i think he's the better fighter uh minus 260 it's a little much but we'll see"
MM
MMA Lock of the Night Expert Confident picked Jul 23, 2020 (3 days before fight)
Raphael Pessoa

Pessoa moves well for a heavyweight, has solid Muay Thai, and good cardio. The line should be much closer; Pessoa offers value at plus money. He can check leg kicks and match Boser's output. Pessoa likely wins a decision or possibly a late finish.

Pessoa by decision
"at plus 210 is a little bit ridiculous for a guy that shows solid skills"
TH
The MMA Guru Expert Confident picked Jul 19, 2020 (7 days before fight)
Tanner Boser

The MMA Guru is sold on Tanner Boser after his impressive KO of Felipe Lins, noting Boser's activity and improved shape. He acknowledges Pessoa has a good chin and doesn't get TKO'd, so he predicts a unanimous decision win for Boser. He sees no way Pessoa wins but admits Pessoa has a chance.

"I'll go with Tannabosa by unanimous decision."