Newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg went under the knife post-UFC 327 to repair his torn ACL. Following surgery and rehabilitation, Ulberg, who is still on the sidelines awaiting complete recovery, has a potential return timeline in mind.
Ulberg suffered this aforementioned injury while fighting Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327. The Kiwi got injured in the first round, and just when everyone thought Prochazka would recapture the 205-pound throne, “Black Jag” dropped him with a devastating leg hook and wasted no time in securing a knockout with hammer fists and non-stop punches.
This past weekend, at UFC Abu Dhabi, Ulberg was in attendance to watch former champion Magomed Ankalaev take on short-notice opponent Bogdan Guskov. Ankalaev secured a TKO finish to return to the win column, but the bout was a highly unentertaining affair as both fighters were not game to engage, due to which there was a lack of action for nearly 15+ minutes.
Ulberg congratulated Ankalaev after his latest win, before adding:
“I saw what I needed to see. I’ll do everything that I need to do to return back in there. The division is [suffering], as there is nothing dominant at the moment.”
When Ulberg was asked to discuss when he plans to return to the octagon, the Kiwi added:
“We are looking at early next year, 2027. We are playing it smart so that we don’t come in too early and re-injure ourselves.”
Check out Carlos Ulberg’s comments below:
Carlos Ulberg plays matchmaker
Carlos Ulberg has suggested that in his absence, instead of an interim light heavyweight title fight, the UFC can book two high-profile matchups: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. vs. Paulo Costa.
Ulberg has opined that the fighter who leaves with “serious momentum” once the bouts he has mentioned have concluded must be the one who should earn the next title shot. He posted on his Instagram story:
“Ankalaev vs Jiri. Give them both a full camp. It’s a fight the division deserves, and stylistically it’s one the fans would love to see.
Costa vs Rountree. That’s the wildcard. High risk, high reward. Someone’s leaving with serious momentum. By the time the dust settles, I’ll be ready. Whoever earns it. See you in 2027.”
Check out Carlos Ulberg’s comments below:
