Volkanovski Says Prochazka Won't Get Rematch After Ulberg KO at UFC 327

Alexander Volkanovski says Jiri Prochazka will not get a rematch with Carlos Ulberg after Ulberg knocked out Prochazka in the first round at UFC 327.

Volkanovski: Rematch unlikely

Volkanovski spoke about the fight on his YouTube channel. He said he likes Prochazka but does not think the UFC will give him another chance. Prochazka says he showed Ulberg mercy because Ulberg hurt his knee during the fight. Volkanovski disagrees that this will be enough to force a rematch.

“Nah, that’s not going to happen,” Volkanovski said. “I mean, I like Jiri, I’m not having any shots at him, [but] it doesn’t work like that. It always looked like a tough fight for Jiri, except for when [Ulberg’s] leg was busted, and he was still able to get the job done. I don’t know how you can convince the UFC that, ‘give me a rematch because of these circumstances.’ They are gonna be like, ‘wait, he tore his ACL and still managed to knock you out.'”

Ulberg likely has a torn ACL

Volkanovski also commented on the injury. He said he is sure Ulberg damaged his ACL and likely needs surgery. He added that the movement he saw in the fight looked like a classic ACL injury.

“You need six months post-surgery… Yeah, I could have bet my b—- on it,” Volkanovski said. “That’s typical ACL. I’ll be very surprised if it’s not ACL. Maybe there’s other stuff as well because he had to keep fighting while the leg has given out. It’s going to need surgery. It’s definitely ACL. I’m quite confident.”

Title picture and other contenders

Volkanovski did not address whether Ulberg might have to vacate the light-heavyweight title while he recovers. If Ulberg is out for many months, the belt could become vacant. That would open the door for other top fighters.

Jiri Prochazka is still ranked No. 3 in the division. Magomed Ankalaev is the No. 1 ranked former champion and could be an option if the title is vacant, though Ankalaev has suggested he may already have a fight lined up. Paulo Costa moved up the 205 lb rankings after a big TKO win over Azamat Murzakanov and is now ranked No. 7.

If the title is vacated, Prochazka could get another shot at the belt because he is a big name in the division and is high in the rankings. If he won a vacant-title fight, a rematch with Ulberg could still happen once Ulberg recovers.