UFC Vegas 13 Card Odds: Andrei Arlovski vs. Tanner Boser Prediction

This is Tanner Boser’s third fight since June and the Canadian heavyweight will be looking for a decisive win to make a big jump up the rankings.

Saturday’s co-main event features a heavyweight tilt between Boser, favoured at -305 on the MMA odds, and Andrei Arlovski, the underdog at +220.  This could be a statement win for Boser, but he’ll need to go through an experienced former heavyweight champion in Arlovski.

Andrei Arlovski UFC Vegas 13 Odds

The 41-year-old Arlovski (29-19) is an experienced veteran who is essentially a measuring stick for up-and-coming fighters. It’s been 14 years since Arlovski was the undisputed heavyweight champion, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t still dangerous. Saturday’s fight will be Arlovski’s 33^rd career UFC fight, tying him for 3rd most all-time and he has won two of his last three bouts. He is coming off a unanimous decision win over Philipe Lins in May, in a fight he controlled through all three rounds. He has a 2.5-inch reach advantage over Boser and is as comfortable on the ground as he is on his feet.

Arlovski is a patient, methodical fighter and a diverse striker. He lands 3.08 significant strikes per minute with a 59 per cent significant strike defence. Between flurries of precise striking attacks, Arlovski is also known to mix in grappling. He averages 0.56 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 36 per cent takedown accuracy and 78 per cent takedown defence.

Tanner Boser UFC Vegas 13 Odds

The 29-year-old Boser (19-6) only joined the UFC just over a year ago, but in that short time the Canadian has put the heavyweight division on notice. Boser has won three of his four UFC fights and is coming off a first-round KO win over Philipe Lins in June and a second-round TKO win over Raphael Pessoa in July.

Boser is one of the more mobile heavyweights in the division and relies on his speed as his biggest asset. He likes to throw a barrage of heat in the pocket (averaging 4.54 significant strikes per minute) before quick retreats to maintain the distance and dictate fights. He has a 100 per cent takedown defence so far and can be a skilled defensive wrestler if he needs to be. A win over Arlovski likely moves Boser much higher into the heavyweight ranking. Will his speed and mobility overcome a veteran fighter and former division champion?

Arlovski vs. Boser UFC Fight Night Prediction

This fight has potential to go the distance. Boser is the younger, faster fighter, but Arlovski’s experience will serve him well.  This will likely go to decision and finish with a third straight win for Boser.