Londoner Sutherland’s begin to life within the UFC has been chaotic. What ought to have been his debut battle in Perth in September was cancelled on 24 hours discover when opponent Justin Tafa withdrew by sickness.
He went on to lose his precise debut the next month when agreeing to face Valter Walker on 10 days’ discover.
His place within the UFC was underneath risk when he misplaced in opposition to Brando Pericic in his house metropolis earlier this 12 months.
Victory over Australia’s Tuivasa and his willingness to leap in on the drop of a hat will earn Sutherland some credit score within the financial institution.
“It is overwhelming as a result of I took a brief discover battle in opposition to Walter, who I assumed I may win in opposition to. I lastly got here right here on every week’s discover and it feels candy, it feels wonderful,” Sutherland mentioned.
“Me and my coaches mentioned it, we did a giant 360. We began right here and it did not go to plan with Tafa pulling out, however pay attention, that is on every week’s discover.”
In the principle occasion, Carlos Prates put in a career-best efficiency to upset former welterweight champion and residential favorite Jack della Maddalena.
Brazil’s Prates dropped Perth’s Della Maddalena with a leg kick in spherical three earlier than forcing the referee to step in as he attacked with heavy elbow strikes.
It’s the second former welterweight champion that Prates, 32, has stopped, having overwhelmed Birmingham’s Leon Edwards at UFC 322 in November.
Della Maddalena, 29, was preventing for the primary time since dropping his welterweight title to Islam Makhachev on the identical card.
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