Anthony Smith: UFC won't rush to strip Carlos Ulberg or create interim

Anthony Smith thinks Carlos Ulberg's status as undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion is safe – for now.

Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) experienced thrill and agony at UFC 327 when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka in spectacular fashion to claim the vacant 205-pound belt, only to sustain a torn ACL in the process. He's already undergone knee surgery in Las Vegas to repair the damage and expects to be back "in good time."

Given the typical ACL surgery recovery window of nine to 12-months, it would be consistent with recent history in the division for Ulberg to give up the belt. Former champs Prochazka and Jamahal Hill did as much when they sustained serious injuries shortly after claiming gold, but this circumstance could be different.

Smith, who once fought Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title and is now an analyst for the company, agrees two factors play into Ulberg's favor: The division currently has no standout contenders, and the UFC doesn't have a major gap in the schedule where a makeshift title fight is required.

"My guess is going to be they don't create an interim because there's not really a clear picture of who you would put in it," Smith told MMA Junkie. "I think they probably let those guys fight it out and figure out who the clear top-two guys are, then if he still needs more time, they'll create an interim. I don't think they'll do it right away.

"I don't think they're in a rush with light heavyweight. I bet they let them fight it out a little bit and maybe run three or four fights and see what happens, and then if he still needs more time and it's still another six months or seven months, then maybe we have to create one. But I don't think they're going to rush into creating an interim title."

With most of the top 10 at light heavyweight injured or coming off losses, Smith doesn't see many great options moving forward. He could see Paulo Costa, who also got a big win at UFC 327, factoring significantly into the next moves, but there's another X-factor in play, Smith said.

Former two-time champ Alex Pereira moved to heavyweight to fight Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, resulting in the Ulberg vs. Prochazka fight. If things don't go Pereira's way at the White House, then Smith could see "Poatan" moving back down to fight Ulberg once the New Zealander is healthy.

"That guy is not going to sail off into the sunset off a loss. I promise you that," Smith said. "If it doesn't get well for him, I could see him looking down and licking his chops and going, 'I'll do that.' I think Ulberg's a tough matchup for him. He's one of the few guys in the division that you look at him and go, 'That's a tough one.'"

To hear more from Smith, check out his complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Analyst expects UFC to exercise patience with Carlos Ulberg's injury