Contender Series vet Harry Hunsucker will drop to light heavyweight at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City this summer.
Hunsucker (7-5) will face Tyson Pedro (8-3) at the PPV in event on August 20, 2022 at the Vivint Arena. MMA Junkie was first to report the news, after Hunsucker had previously announced the date and weight class, without specifying his opponent.
Hunsucker has never competed as a light heavyweight during his pro career, where all 12 of his fights have come in the heavyweight division. Coming up short on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2020, Hunsucker went back to the regional circuit to pick up a win, then joined the big show last year in a losing effort against Tai Tuivasa.
A second loss would follow opposite another Australian, Justin Tafa. Hunsucker will attempt to stave off a third straight loss to a fighter from down under when he meets Pedro in August.
For his part, Tyson Pedro returned from a layoff of over three years in April, when he put away Ike Villanueva. Looking to make up for lost time, Pedro is getting right back to work and will be seeking his second straight win. Prior to the Villanueva fight, Pedro had suffered losses to Shogun Rua and Ovince St. Preux.
UFC 278 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight featuring Kamaru Usman defending his belt opposite Leon Edwards. The following fights have been reported for the event thus far:
- Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Leon Edwards – for the UFC welterweight championship
- Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa
- Victor Altamirano vs. Jake Hadley
- Tyson Pedro vs. Harry Hunsucker
