Sean Sharaf withdraws from May 2 bout with Tai Tuivasa due to broken nose

Sean Sharaf has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled heavyweight bout against Tai Tuivasa on May 2 in Perth after suffering a broken nose, the American fighter announced via social media.

Sharaf, 32, carries a 4-2 record into 2026 and trains out of the renowned Xtreme Couture gym in the United States. Standing six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox heavyweight has shown a high-volume striking game, averaging 7.41 significant strikes landed per minute. He was set to be an intriguing test for a hometown crowd favorite.

Tuivasa, known as "Bam Bam," holds a 15-10 record and is currently ranked ninth in the UFC heavyweight division. The 33-year-old Australian southpaw stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and brings a 48 percent striking accuracy to his fights. Fighting in his home country of Australia, the Perth card represented a significant opportunity for Tuivasa to perform in front of a home crowd and push toward the upper tier of the division.

In his withdrawal announcement, Sharaf expressed hope that Tuivasa would remain on the card with a replacement opponent, though no alternative matchup has been confirmed as of yet.

Why it matters

• Tuivasa losing an opponent disrupts a hometown card that had likely been built partly around his presence
• A replacement at heavyweight on short notice could prove difficult to secure before May 2
• Tuivasa sits ninth in the division, meaning a win over a credible opponent would carry meaningful ranking implications
• Sharaf's timeline for return will depend on recovery from the fracture, leaving his own divisional progress on hold