British UFC heavyweight Louie Sutherland has accepted a fight on just one week's notice, replacing an injured Sean Sharaf to take on Australian fan favorite Tai Tuivasa at UFC Perth on May 2.
Sutherland, 32, will travel from the UK to Australia after competing last month at UFC London, where he suffered the first knockout loss of his career. Now on a two-fight skid, the Englishman is desperate for a win to reignite his momentum.
Tuivasa, 33, was left without an opponent after Sharaf withdrew with a broken nose earlier this week. The Perth native headlines the main card but enters the octagon on a six-fight losing streak, an alarming slide for a former top-10 contender.
Both fighters are known for their finishing power. Sutherland has eight knockouts in 15 wins, while Tuivasa boasts 13 KOs in his 14 victories. The matchup promises fireworks.
Short-notice replacements often struggle, but recent history offers hope for underdogs. In February, British flyweight Lone'er Kavanagh stepped in on three weeks' notice and defeated Brandon Moreno, propelling himself to No. 6 in the rankings.
UFC Perth's main event features former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena against Brazilian Carlos Prates in the Australian's first fight since losing the belt.