UFC Heavyweight Tanner Boser Replaces Raphael Pessoa On Short Notice

UFC Heavyweight Tanner Boser is set to be the short term replacement in a clash against Raphael Pessoa. The bout will be contested at the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi in the final event on July 25.

The news of the replacement comes via MMA Fighting and has occurred due to a malady sustained to Justin Tafa. Sources comment that an injury caused the original booking to fall through. However, further details are unknown.

Tanner Boser x Raphael Pessoa: Know your fighters

Tanner Boser is coming off the bench in a swift return to action after securing an impressive victory. ‘The Bulldozer’ last competed at UFC on ESPN 12, with Dustin Poirier and Dan Hooker as the headlining feature.

Moreover, the Canadian fighter bagged a decisive stoppage victory in the very first round of the fight. The finish win over Philipe Lins helped him bounce back over a disappointing previous outing back in December 2019. He will be looking to extend his run in the highly competitive Heavyweight division of the UFC.

Boser spoke out and expressed his excitement after a recent 4-fight contract extension.

“I’m excited to announce that I have extended my UFC contract by 4-fights. This is where I belong and I look forward to continuing to prove myself.”

Raphael Pessoa is 10-1 in his professional career thus far and is fresh off a victory in his last outing. ‘Bebezao’ managed to snag a unanimous decision victory over Jeff Hughes back in October 2019. The narrative going into the scheduled bout against Tanner Boser will revolve around his significantly longer lay-off.

Additionally, he will look to capitalize on his trademarked slip-in power jabs against the agile Boser. His resume is chalked with impressive finishes and it is clear that he will press the action from the starting bell. In light of the mentions, it is noteworthy that both men most recently faltered against Ciryl Gane.