SANTA CRUZ — Breaking news: Paea “Bad News” Tukuafu, 33, will replace massive Mathew Westwood at this weekend’s historic sumo wrestling tournament at Kaiser Permanente Arena, World Elite Sumo (WES) announced Monday.

Westwood, who checks in at 6-foot-6, 600 pounds, was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s 12-man, open-weight tournament due to an injury.

That opened a very big door for Tukuafu (6-3, 300), a pro MMA fighter who will be make his debut under sumo wrestling rules.

Tukuafu trains under UFC heavyweight legend Cain Velasquez and coach Ron Keslar out of San Jose’s famed American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). He posted a 4-0-0 amateur MMA record with four first-round knockouts before turning pro.

With the addition of Tukuafu, the diverse and talented men’s field also includes pro wrestling star Juicy Finau (6-4, 465); No. 1 ranked Power Slap super heavyweight star and former amateur sumo champion Makini “Big Mak” Manu (6-0, 400); American strongman competitor Josh “The Ox” Ortiz (5-7, 275); Los Angeles’ Gilberto De La Torre (6-3, 400), the first-ever pro sumo wrestler of Mexican descent; three-time African national freestyle wrestling champion Ahmed Khalil (6-3, 265) of Egypt; Japanese powerhouse Hidenoumi “The Iron Wall” Takuya (6-0, 350); Polynesian American martial artist and pro wrestler Josh “Siua” Tuitupou (5-11, 270); former Japanese sumo champion Asahisho Kota (5-9, 310); Brazilian sumo star Rui Junior (5-11, 381); seasoned Russian technician Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev (6-5, 350); and sumo star Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan (6-3, 350), the first pro sumo wrestler from Africa and The Middle East.

All WES tournament matches will be contested in a best-of-three format, increasing competitive stakes and maintaining a rapid, exciting pace of action.

A four-wrestler woman’s tournament — featuring Kellyann Ball, Etan “Tanro” Perez, Yaleidy  “Jolly” Toro Graniela, and Haley Cartmill — will take place ahead of the championship stage of the men’s tournament that will headline the show.

Wrestlers will be competing for cash prizes and the coveted champion’s trophy.

The immersive fight night production, known to blend athleticism, intensity, and spectacle, will also feature live taiko drumming and dramatic wrestler entrances.

WES tickets, which start at $50, are available on Ticketmaster.com.

IF YOU GO

World Elite Sumo

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Kaiser Permanente Arena, Santa Cruz

Tickets: Ticketmaster.com