UFC Champ Carlos Ulberg Reveals Injury That Nearly Ended Title Fight

New light heavyweight titleholder discusses knee issue that nearly derailed his championship win.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:33pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting featuring bold, neon-colored brushstrokes that capture the explosive energy and movement of a UFC fighter throwing a powerful punch, conceptually representing the new light heavyweight champion's triumph over adversity.A new champion emerges from the chaos of the UFC light heavyweight division, his victory secured through grit and determination despite a debilitating injury.Las Vegas Today

Newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Carlos Ulberg has opened up about the knee injury that nearly ended his title fight against Jiří Procházka at UFC 327. Ulberg revealed that his knee felt like it was 'going in and out of the socket' during the bout, causing him significant pain and making it difficult to put weight on the leg. Despite the injury, Ulberg managed to floor Procházka with a left hook and secure the championship with ground punches.

Why it matters

Ulberg's victory over Procházka marks a changing of the guard in the UFC light heavyweight division, which has been dominated by the same names in recent years. The 35-year-old New Zealander is a fresh face at the top of the weight class, and his ability to overcome a serious injury and still capture the title has raised expectations for his future reign as champion.

The details

Ulberg suffered the knee injury during the opening round of his fight against Procházka. The champion-to-be said the knee 'felt like it was going in and out of the socket' and that he 'couldn't bear to put any weight on that leg.' Despite the significant damage, Ulberg managed to floor Procházka with a left hook and secure the title with ground punches. Procházka, who had previously won and lost the light heavyweight belt due to his own injury issues, seemed to recognize Ulberg's compromised state and largely focused on trading punches rather than attacking the injured leg.

  • Ulberg knocked out former title challenger Dominick Reyes last September to earn his shot at the light heavyweight title.
  • UFC 327 took place on April 12, 2026, where Ulberg defeated Procházka to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship.
  • Ulberg will travel to Las Vegas this week to undergo scans on his injured knee.

The players

Carlos Ulberg

The newly crowned UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, a 35-year-old New Zealander who is on a 10-fight win streak.

Jiří Procházka

The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, who previously won and lost the title due to injury issues.

Alex Pereira

The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion who vacated the title ahead of a move up to the heavyweight division.

Magomed Ankalaev

A potential future title challenger for Ulberg, having won the light heavyweight belt from Pereira before losing it in an immediate rematch.

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What they’re saying

“We're just waiting and I'll get the scans done when I arrive in Vegas this week, and we'll know everything once that's done. It was just a freak accident, the knee felt like it was going in and out of the socket, it felt like a pain there and I couldn't bear to put any weight on that leg.”

— Carlos Ulberg, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

What’s next

Ulberg will undergo scans on his injured knee once he arrives in Las Vegas this week, which will determine the extent of the damage and how long he may be sidelined before his first title defense.

The takeaway

Ulberg's ability to overcome a serious knee injury and still capture the UFC light heavyweight title has cemented his status as a rising star in the division. His refreshing new presence at the top of the weight class has generated excitement, and fight fans will be eager to see how he fares in his first title defense once he is cleared to return to action.