Octagon newcomer Harry Hunsucker faces Tai Tuivasa at UFC Vegas 22

Harry Hunsucker didn’t get a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, but a short-notice vacancy has punched his ticket to the octagon at UFC Vegas 22.

The UFC on Wednesday confirmed Hunsucker will replace Don’tale Mayes in a bout against vet Tai Tuivasa on Saturday at UFC APEX. MMA Junkie first reported the newcomer’s addition.

Mayes was not medically cleared for the fight, giving Hunsucker his shot after a TKO loss to Jared Vanderaa on Contenders this past November. The UFC newcomer rebounded on the regional circuit in February with a 45-second TKO.

Tuivasa recently snapped a career-threatening skid with a first-round stoppage of vet Stefan Struve this past November at UFC 254. Previously, he had lost three straight including two where he was finished.

UFC Vegas 22 is headlined by a middleweight contest between Derek Brunson and Kevin Holland. The event streams live on ESPN+.