London — Light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg has been on a steady climb up the division he calls home, undefeated since losing his promotional debut in 2021.
“Black Jag” had competed in just four fights, including his Contender Series appearance, to that point. Yet as a kickboxer and teammate of then-middleweight champ Israel Adesanya, he made the big show regardless.
Now, New Zealand’s Ulberg finds himself in the UFC London co-main event opposite former 205lb champ Jan Blachowicz. A win would almost certainly put him in the title picture, though the expected rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira might forestall it.
At Thursday’s UFC London media day, Ulberg (11-1) was asked to grade his performance in the UFC to date. “When you look at it you’ve got someone who’s on a seven-fight win streak, the most in the light heavyweight division so far,” replied Ulberg. “So very exciting, and I think anyone would be merited for a title shot after this.”
An eighth straight win, and over a former champion, might secure just that. Especially a big finish. However, many have tried to stop Jan Blachowicz. Few have succeeded; both Pereira and Ankalaev went the distance with the Polish star, the latter in a draw.
Can Ulbeg do what those talents could not? “We’ll just have to see on Saturday night, but I come with a different approach,” he stated.
Carlos Ulbeg was giving plenty of credit to his UFC London co-main event opponent during Thursday’s media day. “I know Blachowicz has seen this fight differently, and he’s going to approach it that way. He’s smart, he’s a chess player,” he stated at one point. “And that’s the way I’m going to view it.”
He also acknowledged that it would be an honor to compete with (and beat) a former champ. “Very much so, and a win over Jan would definitely merit it [a title shot].”
Asked which opponent he’d want if a title shot wasn’t forthcoming following UFC London, Ulberg wasn’t biting. “There’s a title shot there brother. There’s a title shot.”
It’s pretty clear Ulberg has just one thing on his mind, ultimately, and that’s the belt.
Watch the full UFC London media day appearance by Carlos Ulberg above.
