UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs Sakai Prelims – Tanner Boser vs Ilir Latifi: Prediction and Analysis

UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai is an event filled with heavyweight fights. The prelims also feature a heavyweight fight between Tanner Boser and Ilir Latifi. It’s the third heavyweight bout on the card, along with fights between Walt Harris vs. Marcin Tybura and Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai.

Boser is a new fighter in the UFC’s heavyweight division after he joined in 2019. His UFC debut came in October of the same year against Daniel Spitz. He won the fight via a unanimous decision to kick-start his career with the organization. However, he is currently sitting on a loss against an up-and-coming heavyweight in Ciryl Gane.

His last fight, fought in November 2017, was a loss against UFC veteran Andrei Arlovski. While on the other hand, his opponent Ilir Latifi hasn’t fared any better and is on a dreadful losing streak of three fights. His last fight was a unanimous decision loss against the current number one contender at heavyweight, Derrick Lewis.

A loss for Latifi would surely signal the end of his UFC career. However, the same cannot be said for Boser. Still, the stakes are really high in this fight.

Watch This Story: UFC Champions Who Never Successfully Defended Their Belts

Tanner Boser: Fighting style and analysis

The Canadian Heavyweight is definitely a knockout artist. Nevertheless, he does have two rear-naked choke finishes in his early fights. 10 of his 19 wins have come via knockout. On the other hand, he has never been submitted in a fight, and he has been knocked out only once, against Tim Hague.

If the fight goes the distance, he has won seven and lost six. Hence, Latifi would try to take it there. However, if that does not happen, Boser has won 12 of the 13 fights that haven’t gone the distance, showing his strength and resilience.

Ilir Latifi: Fighting style and analysis

The 5’10” Swedish heavyweight Latifi is four inches shorter than his opponent. However, he compensates for it with his size. He is someone who relies on his wrestling to beat opponents and stifle their attack. The question here is, does this work against Boser or not?

He is also on a losing streak and seems like he is short of ideas. Still, the fans should keep an eye on this one as it might yield a highlight finish or submission from either side.

Prediction: Tanner Boser wins via knockout in the second round

Read More: Here’s How Stipe Miocic’s Wife Ryan Marie Carney Impacts the Undisputed UFC Champion