Louie Sutherland Secures Unforgettable Win Over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Perth
British heavyweight Louie Sutherland marked his triumphant return to the octagon with a unanimous decision victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Perth, a fight he accepted on short notice after Sean Sharaf withdrew just a week prior. The 31-year-old fighter, who previously competed at UFC London in March, finally clinched his first win with the promotion, impressively scoring 30-26 from all three judges. Sutherland expressed confidence in his abilities, stating, "I know I'm good enough to compete in the top 10 or 15 of this division." He emphasized his readiness to fight anyone, saying, "If you call me on a weeks' notice I'll come - it doesn't matter who it is." Reflecting on the significance of his victory, he remarked, "I'm a big fan of Tai so to get a win over him is bittersweet and it feels like a changing of the guard." This win improves Sutherland's record to 11 wins and 5 defeats, while Tuivasa faces uncertainty with his seventh consecutive loss. Sutherland's journey in the UFC has been tumultuous. His initial debut was canceled at the last minute against Justin Tafa, and he suffered a loss in his actual debut against Valter Walker on short notice. Yet, his willingness to step in and fight has earned him respect in the division. "It's overwhelming... I finally came here on a week's notice and it feels sweet, it feels amazing," Sutherland said. In the main event, Carlos Prates delivered a standout performance, defeating former welterweight champion Jack della Maddalena by TKO, marking his second victory over a former champion after previously beating Leon Edwards at UFC 322.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-02