Carlos Ulberg will get his first shot at UFC gold this Saturday, when he meets Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327 in The Sunshine State.
Ulberg rides a nine-fight win streak into the championship clash, having earned his opportunity with a first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC Perth this past September. Prochazka booked his side of the title fight with a comeback knockout win over Khalil Rountree at UFC 320.
Both contenders have had a close eye on former champion Alex Pereira. Ulberg has wanted to face Pereira for years and holds him in high regard, referring to him as “Poatan” and “superhuman,” while also noting the respect he has for a potential opponent. “100 percent,” Ulberg said when discussing Pereira’s move. “Yeah, that’s it. It could be gone, right? But then again, that could present itself in some other way, and I’m pretty sure it might still happen. And, yeah, the respect is always still there, and he’s done the right thing: Move up and, and go for that third title. I’d do the same.”
Pereira, the only fighter to defeat Prochazka in the UFC, vacated the light heavyweight belt and moved to heavyweight in pursuit of a third title. Ulberg and Prochazka watched together from the crowd as Pereira regained the 205-pound title with a quick knockout of Magomed Ankalaev.
Looking ahead, Ulberg sees every matchup as its own puzzle. “Every fight’s going to be different, every opponent’s going to be different and pose their different threats. Styles make fights, so it’s like, what might work for Pereira may not work for someone else. What may work for Jiri may not work for someone else.”
“So it’s just about going in there and finding my flow. It’s about whoever finds their flow first, I think that’s what’s going to get them that win.”
