Carlos Ulberg Knocks Out Jiri Prochazka to Win UFC 327 Light Heavyweight Title

Carlos Ulberg scored a highlight knockout over Jiri Prochazka to win the UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327. The finish came after Ulberg appeared to hurt his leg early in the fight.

Quick fight recap

The two fighters traded strikes early. In the first minute, a leg kick from Prochazka made Ulberg stumble and something seemed to pop in Ulberg’s knee. Some observers said it looked like a torn ACL.

Prochazka attacked the leg briefly and then tried to slow the pace, daring Ulberg to stand and trade. Ulberg answered in dramatic fashion. He landed a massive left hand and a series of follow-up strikes that put Prochazka out and ended the fight by knockout. Ulberg left the octagon as the new UFC light heavyweight champion despite the apparent leg injury.

What the result means

Prochazka is a former light heavyweight champion who won the belt by beating Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. He vacated that title because of injury before defending it.

Before this fight Prochazka had a 6-2 record in the UFC. Both of his UFC losses came in title fights against Alex Pereira. Pereira gave up the light heavyweight title tonight because he plans to move to heavyweight.

Pereira is set to fight Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250.

Notes on the injury and finish

Early in the fight the sound and look of Ulberg’s leg suggested a serious injury; some fans and reporters claimed it could be an ACL tear. Ulberg still managed to deliver the knockout blow moments later. Medical updates on Ulberg’s leg were not provided in the ring immediately after the fight.

The finish was sudden and emphatic. Prochazka’s decision to engage while Ulberg was hurt left him open to the power shot that ended the fight.

Fight results

This was the main event of UFC 327. More updates may follow as teams and officials release medical reports and official statements about the title and future fights.