Louie Sutherland defeated Tai Tuivasa by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) in a heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night in Perth, Australia on May 2, 2026. Sutherland, who accepted the fight on short notice, secured multiple takedowns and controlled the fight on the ground for most of the 15-minute duration.
Fight Progression
First Round: Sutherland attempted multiple takedowns. Tuivasa initially defended but was eventually taken down. Sutherland maintained control on top for the remainder of the round.
Second Round: Sutherland quickly took Tuivasa down, advanced to mount position, and attempted an arm triangle choke but did not secure the submission. He maintained top position until the round ended.
Third Round: Sutherland landed a calf kick and scored another takedown. With less than one minute remaining, the fighters were stood up by the referee. Sutherland then flopped to the ground, and Tuivasa threw a knee to Sutherland's head. The referee deducted one point from Tuivasa for the illegal strike.
Fighter Statements
Following the fight, Sutherland said:
"Listen, me and my coaches said it, we done a big 360, we started here, it didn’t go to plan. But that’s on a week’s notice, who you f*cking booing? I love fighting. I’ve know I’ve got the skills to win in this organization. Get me anybody, I’ll fight them all. Marcin Tybura, Serbia, let’s have at it!"
Tuivasa posted a statement on Instagram apologizing to his fans and team, stating he felt good and put in the work but did not get the result. He said he will not give up.
Career Context
This defeat represents Tuivasa's seventh consecutive loss. He had considered retirement after his fifth defeat but returned after a year off, losing a decision to Tallison Teixeira in February 2026.