Preview: UFC on ESPN 50 ‘Sandhagen vs. Font’

Light Heavyweights

Tanner Boser (20-10-1, 4-5 UFC) vs. Aleksa Camur (6-2, 1-2 UFC)

ODDS: Boser (-162), Camur (+136)

Given how his last fight went, it is a bit surprising to see Boser stick with his move down to light heavyweight. Boser was a solid regional heavyweight prior to his UFC callup in 2019, and Canada’s “Bulldozer” carved out a niche for himself upon making the big time. As one of the smallest heavyweights on the roster, Boser could lean on his speed advantage to outmaneuver and wear out his lumbering opponents, either finding a knockout or scoring a safe but ugly decision win. It was an approach that also had a clear ceiling, particularly against opponents who could effectively outwrestle Boser and pin him to the mat. However, Boser also rightfully bristled at constant calls for him to cut down to light heavyweight, citing that it would neutralize all of his advantages at heavyweight. That made it a surprise when Boser gave in and made his 205-pound debut against Ion Cutelaba in April, which figured to be a solid proof-of-concept test as to whether or not this move down would work. Over time, Cutelaba had become both more focused on his wrestling and more prone to imploding against opponents who could survive an early onslaught. Frankly, Boser looked terrible, as he was quickly taken off his feet and finished in a shade over two minutes. Boser is apparently committed to light heavyweight at this point, as he is back at 205 pounds to take on Camur, who himself badly needs to build some momentum.

A training partner of Stipe Miocic, Camur was a pure flier for the UFC coming off Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. Camur is a physical specimen, but he had all of five fights in a 22-month pro career before finding himself in the UFC fold. Camur put in a solid debut in a striking-heavy win over Justin Ledet but then went on a two-fight skid against opponents who could match his physicality and exploit his lack of technical depth. That was before an injury layoff that has kept Camur out of action for over two years, robbing him of some much-needed experience. Camur could still show up in better form after two years of work in the gym, and quite honestly, it is unclear if he even needs it here. Camur is the type of light heavyweight athlete who should be able to track down Boser where the Canadian was safe at heavyweight, and he also might have the wrestling advantage in what could be a slog of a fight. The pick is Camur via decision.

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Sandhagen vs. Font
Suarez vs. Andrade
Nzechukwu vs. Jacoby
Lopes vs. Tucker
Boser vs. Camur
Bahamondes vs. Klein
The Prelims