British heavyweight steps up to face Tai Tuivasa on eight days’ notice at UFC Perth

Apr 24, 2026 - 12:30

Louie Sutherland has answered the call on just eight days’ notice to fight at UFC Perth.

The 32-year-old London-born Scottish fighter is set to face Aussie veteran Tai Tuivasa Down Under on May 2, after Sean Sharaf pulled out of the contest this week due to a fractured nose.

Sutherland against Pericic at UFC London — ‘The Vanilla Gorilla’ boasts a professional MMA record of 10-5

Sutherland has suffered back-to-back first-round defeats since making his UFC debut in October 2025.

He was stopped by Brando Pericic, who also features on the UFC Perth card, last time out in London, having been submitted by Valter Walker on his debut in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s what we do. Sort notice, no problem. Back Down Under,” Sutherland wrote on social media Friday, responding to the news.

Tuivasa, meanwhile, has lost all of his last six UFC fights and, like Sutherland, is in desperate need of a victory in Dana White‘s promotion.

The former ranked UFC heavyweight hasn’t had his arm raised in the Octagon since knocking out Derrick Lewis with a vicious elbow at UFC 271 in February 2022.

However, ‘Bam Bam’ has been in the UFC since 2017 and still possesses thunder in his hands, having fought a who’s who of the promotion’s best heavyweights.

Make or break for Sutherland

The short-notice call-up for Sutherland has offered him a brilliant opportunity to right the wrongs of his first chapter in the UFC.

‘The Vanilla Gorilla’ is on a four-fight contract with the UFC, but faces the threat of being released early should he suffer his third consecutive defeat.

Speaking to talkSPORT.com ahead of his loss to Pericic, Sutherland emphasised his no-pressure mentality in make-or-break moments.

“I don’t put any pressure on myself like, ‘Oh, this is the next one I’ve got to get,’” he said.

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Brando Pericic of Australia punches Louie Sutherland of England in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The O2 on March 21, 2026 in London, England — Sutherland was caught early in his fight against Pericic at UFC London

Referee Marc Goddard moves in to stop the bout as Brando Pericic of Australia defeats Louie Sutherland of England in a heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at The O2 on March 21, 2026 in London, England — And was stopped just 90 seconds into the heavyweight clash

“You can’t chase those wins. At the end of the day, I put so much pressure on myself anyway to perform.

“My pressure comes from performing and obviously winning is part of performing, but it’s more I don’t chase the wins.

“I’m not like, ‘Oh, I have to win. I’ve got to win this.’ You can get too emotional thinking like that, your visions can be a little bit obscure and you might throw things you might not normally throw, or you do things irrationally.

“And I think I’ve got enough experience now to know that I’m good enough to compete at this level.

“I do have the power to hurt people. I mean, Valter Walker broke his leg. It was one or two leg kicks, snapped his fibula in half, and I think he’s still having problems now with the leg.

“So I know I’ve got the power to hurt these people, and I believe in it. I believe I’m better than most of these heavyweights, if I’m honest.