Tanner Boser (photo via FortSaskOnline.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

The UFC is returning to Vancouver, British Columbia for an August 27th card, and it sounds like Tanner Boser will be keeping his phone handy, as the event approaches.

Boser is Unified MMA’s heavyweight champ, and is coming off a unanimous decision win over well traveled veteran, Tony Lopez. The Edmonton based fighter also holds victories over UFC vets Tim Hague and Victor Valimaki, and is just 24 years-old. As a result, “The Bulldozer” could be on the promotion’s short list, if the need for a Canadian heavyweight arises.

“Obviously, I know the UFC is coming to Vancouver in August. I hope there’s a heavyweight, a preliminary type fight on the card and someone gets hurt and they need a Canadian,” Boser said on a recent edition of Full Contact Fighter Radio. “That’s great. If not, there’s Legacy, there’s Titan, there’s RFA. There’s all those good leagues that the UFC seems to get a lot of, kind of feeder league types, I would be down for any of those.”

“Of course, World Series, Bellator, like, anyone who calls me and gives me an opponent, that is a good win to have, I’m going to fight. But, if it has to be Unified, it has to be Unified.”

Boser (10-2) credited Unified for treating him well, and noted that the local promotion recently signed a broadcast deal with the Fight Network. But, Boser is hoping to secure a fight that will grab the attention of big stage promotions like the UFC. Of course, setting up a bout that will do that on the local level, is easier said than done.

“I don’t have my eye on anyone,” added Boser. “There’s no Canadian. The only Canadian I would fight is Smealinho Rama. But, he’s kind of been M.I.A. since he fought and lost the World Series belt just over a year ago (to Blagoy Ivanov). Rama’s a high level guy and that’s a legit challenge. But all the other heavyweights in Canada, I’m it. Give me a Russian, an American, whatever.”

If Boser doesn’t get the call for the UFC’s upcoming event in Vancouver, he’s hopeful that the promotion might look to sign him, if it heads to Edmonton. Alberta’s capital city has long been considered one of Canada’s top MMA hubs, and for many, it’s a surprise the UFC hasn’t held an event there yet. But, since the city has a brand new arena set to open, Rogers Place, that could change. Even though Alberta’s economy has been hit hard by the drop in oil prices.

“If they come right to Edmonton then my chances of getting in there are pretty high I think.”