Carlos Ulberg captured the vacant UFC light heavyweight title with a dramatic first-round knockout of former champion Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 327 main event.
Ulberg appeared to suffer a serious setback early, seemingly blowing out his right knee after a misstep in the opening round. Prochazka pressed forward as Ulberg targeted his calves with kicks, recognizing previous issues with calf kicks, before the fight flipped in an instant.
Despite the apparent injury, Ulberg connected with a counter check left hook that dropped Prochazka, then followed him to the canvas and finished with punches for the knockout at 3:45 of the first round.
"It was knee. I blew out my knee," Ulberg said afterward, before adding, "I never ever counted myself out. I knew that all I needed was that one shot and I ended up getting it. I knew that Jiri was hesitant to come forward and as soon as I landed my left hand, he’s going. I’ve got to sort this knee out. But we’re champion."
Ulberg summed up the moment simply: "King Carlos, baby! I told you everything was going to change. Now I’m the king of the division."
Prochazka, who previously held the UFC light heavyweight belt, reflected on the loss and his approach after noticing Ulberg’s injury. "F*ck, it happened. I felt like mercy, in that fight I felt so sorry for him," he said. "That fight was won. I had it. It was in my hand and I just let him because I saw his injury and f*ck. I will be back. Life is about that, learn and be better. Sorry for tonight."
