With the light heavyweight title vacated by champ Alex Pereira (officially on Saturday but in reality when he announced his move to heavyweight), it was Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg battling for the belt at UFC 327.
Prochazka was trying to regain the title he once held, while City Kickboxing’s Carlos Ulberg was getting his first championship opportunity in the main event in Miami, Florida.
A bit of a chess match opened the UFC 327 main event, though Ulberg would look to work in some calf kicks. In an early exchange, Ulberg’s knee appeared to buckle, and Prochazka took immediate advantage, kicking his kegs out from under him. Prochazka being aware meant he kept the fight standing, and continued to target the leg. A couple of outside kicks to the back of the knee forced Ulberg to step lightly, and he later fell off a kick of his own.
When Ulberg connected with a left hand, he went down on his own, and it seemed it was game over for “Black Jag.” The New Zealand native had other plans. Backed up against the fence almost for balance, Ulberg caught Prochazka with a check left hook on the way in. Prochazka went down, rolling over, but Ulberg had it in him to get on top and add some finishing strikes. The ref called it, and Carlos Ulberg, despite an apparently serious calf injury, had light heavyweight gold!
Ulberg suggested after the fight that he’d blown out his knee. He may be the first UFC champion to see an interim title fight in play the very same night he won his UFC title – but he won it nonetheless, and in memorable fashion.
Official Result: Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka by KO, Round 1, 3:45
