UFC Perth has lost one more fight right around weigh-in time as a highly-anticipated heavyweight clash fell through due to illness.
Something seems to be going around in Australia as for the second time in a matter of days a major bout for this Saturday night’s card has been called off. Yesterday it was top prospect Oban Elliott who succumbed to an illness to force his bout with Jonathan Micallef off the card.
Now, Justin Tafa was unable to get on the scales for weigh-ins, and his fight with the newly-arrived Louie Sutherland was cancelled. Former PFL star and LFL champion Sutherland had fans excited with his pre-fight antics, but now must wait to make his debut.
HORRIBLE CARD: Fans react as poor UFC Perth ticket sales leads to ‘half full’ venue predictionJustin Tafa vs Louie Sutherland cancelled due to illness hours before UFC PerthDivisive heavyweight star Tafa is a tricky case for UFC fans, with many feeling that his involvement in high-profile fights makes little sense. He holds a 7-5 record that includes more octagon losses than wins, and likely was facing his last chance after two consecutive defeats.
Meanwhile, fans were excited to see the cheeky British newcomer Sutherland, who made weight at 259lb for the fight. He had made an hilarious UFC Perth pre-fight promo video that fans deemed better than most promotionally-produced clips, and coupled with an explosive style had viewers on his side.
However, a statement from the promotion today read: “Due to illness, Justin Tafa has been removed from his heavyweight bout with Louie Sutherland. As a result, this bout has been cancelled.”
