No. 13 Minnesota Eliminates No. 4 UCLA To Join Oklahoma In Final Four
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327, becoming the new light heavyweight champion. Ulberg criticized Prochazka's claims of showing mercy during the fight, calling them 'total bulls***' and labeling him a 'pretender.'
For Carlos Ulberg, belief never wavered. Even after a potentially devastating mid-fight knee injury, the Kiwi always knew he'd walk out of UFC 327 as the new light heavyweight champion.
Yet Ulbergās stunning knockout win over Jiri Prochazka didnāt just crown a new light heavyweight king; it also ignited a fire. In Ulbergās eyes, a narrative now lives that never shouldāve existed in the first place ā the idea that Prochazka showed āmercyā in the fightās most critical moment, as the former champ has repeatedly bemoaned in the days since UFC 327.
Speaking on Monday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show," Ulberg responded clearly to Prochazka's claims of showing mercy against his injured opponent.
āThatās bulls***, total bulls***. Thatās fear. That wasnāt any kind of mercy. He knows. He's a fighter," Ulberg told Uncrowned. "That's the difference between a champion and someone's who's just playing for the crowd. There was no mercy in there. He was full of fear, hesitation, and thatās what got him clipped.
"Heās a pretender. He knows I know heās a pretender. From the very first time we faced off, he knew that this is going to be a fight ā this is a real one right in front of me. He could feel it. So he knew that I knew he's a pretender."
Rarely, if ever, has Prochazka's character been called into question. A notable fan-favorite and entertainer of the highest order, Prochazka has lived and died by the sword ā both inside and outside of the Octagon ā as someone who embodies the Bushido code, prioritizing honor.
Ulberg, however, isn't falling for what he believes is a facade. He said he's felt this way since Prochazka emerged as a notable light heavyweight force years ago. Eventually, Ulberg expected Prochakza would be exposed under the lights, however for a brief moment in their UFC 327 collision, Prochazka appeared destined to begin a second UFC title reign off his wounded prey.
Ulbergās knee gave out early Saturday after a punch exchange in the pocket, compromising his base and mobility for the remainder of the bout. Yet the injury also laid the groundwork for Ulberg's shining moment, which the new champ believes revealed Prochazka's true colors.
"When he had that moment where my leg was compromised, he thought, 'Ah, this could be my opportunity.' But with the perseverance that I had and pushed through that and was able to adapt with, I wasn't going anywhere," Ulberg said.
"There was that very moment where we locked each other's eyes, and he knew, 'Damn, this is going to be a fight. He's not going anywhere.' And I've still got my hands. That's the danger that I have. One shot can kill 'em."
That belief in his power and composure carried Ulberg through the impending chaos. Because while the bout's finish looked and felt sudden, Ulberg painted it as something far more deliberate and expected.
Now, the question becomes: When can Ulberg return for his first title defense? First, he'll have to do a full examination of his injured right knee, which has been speculated to be a torn ACL.
"We don't know for sure [if it's a torn ACL]. We're just waiting," Ulberg said. "I'll get the scans done when I arrive in Vegas, and we'll know everything when that's all done.
Carlos Ulberg is shutting the door on a Jiri Prochazka rematch after his epic UFC 327 title win.
(Carmen Mandato via Getty Images)
"I have never [injured] the knee at all [before this], so I have no idea how to react to it. It's just swollen at the moment. It's hard to get up, so there's something up in there. It definitely takes me a while now to get anywhere, so I'm definitely walking like an old fella."
From a viewerās perspective, the damage was obvious, as every kick absorbed or heavy movement from Ulberg prompted stumbling and wincing ā not just from him, but anyone watching. By Ulbergās own description, the injury fundamentally altered how he had to move, or more accurately, how little he could.
Even on one leg, though, Ulberg relied on and trusted the hours spent drilling that specific check hook he believed would eventually find its mark ā and it did.
"The knee felt like it was kind of going in and out of the socket," Ulberg said. "The pain there, I couldn't bear any weight on that leg. Anytime I pushed off that right foot or step, any kind of weight on that leg, it would give out. So that's basically it. The pain that I had to go through, too, was unbearable.
āI know my left hook ā it can reach, and Iāve been practicing that shot specifically for him. I knew that eventually he would walk into it. What I wanted him to do was give him a fake sense of comfort, and then he would come in, and Iād land that shot."
Despite his uncertainty about a recovery timetable, Ulberg isnāt expecting a lengthy absence. Yet his coronation also comes at a unique time, with the division somewhat struggling to find new life among its contenders.
Former champion Alex Pereira is moving to heavyweight. Magomed Ankalaev ā the champion before Pereira ā hasnāt fought since losing the belt in October. Contenders like Khalil Rountree Jr. are coming off losses. Then thereās Prochazka, who's lost his past three title opportunities since he became a UFC champion in 2022. Accompany those results with the sour taste Prochazka has left with Ulberg in the wake of UFC 327, and the new champion doesnāt want a rematch anytime soon.
"When that word āmercifulā was fed into his mouth that night after he said what he had said, he went with it and played with it, and that was his excuse so that he could hopefully get a rematch. There is no way he gets that rematch," Ulberg said.
"I don't see him getting past Ankalaev. He gets his a** beat from Ankalaev, and I don't see him in that top picture again. ⦠Heās had his chances. Heās had a fair few goes. Iām not normally this hard on guys, but, hey, if youāre out there talking smack, then not watching you, buddy. You canāt make excuses out there.
"He didnāt even come and congratulate me after the fight. Normally I really show love to anyone that I fight. They know, too. But with him, it was a bit different because I just feel he's more trying to play to the crowd."
Although the pickings are slim for Ulberg's first title defense, Ankalaev still stands out most as a new opponent for the champ to test himself against. As reluctant as the UFC has been to put Ankalaev in title fights since his initial try in 2022, Ulberg may be the only one vouching for āBig Ankā at this juncture.
Ultimately it doesn't matter who the name is, as long as itās not Prochazka, says Ulberg.
"[Ankalaev is] one of the best in there, and I think that's the only guy I need to test myself with in there. I think he's deserving," Ulberg said.
"But definitely not a rematch with Jiri."
Carlos Ulberg dismissed Jiri Prochazka's claims of showing mercy, stating they were 'total bulls***' and attributed Prochazka's actions to fear and hesitation.
Carlos Ulberg won the light heavyweight title at UFC 327 by delivering a stunning knockout to Jiri Prochazka.
Carlos Ulberg suffered a potentially devastating mid-fight knee injury but remained confident he would win the match.
Carlos Ulberg believes Jiri Prochazka is a 'pretender' in the sport, suggesting that he lacks the qualities of a true champion.
Minnesota takes down UCLA to join Oklahoma in NCAA Gymnastics Final Four!
John Leonard signs one-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings!
Hunter Goodman powers Rockies to a 3-2 win over Astros, ending a six-game skid.
Dudinha discusses her strong start with San Diego Wave and dreams of the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Steve Kerr praises Stephen Curry's incredible performance against the Clippers
Padres beat Mariners 5-2, marking their eighth straight win!
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.