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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 10: Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand reacts after his victory over Da Woon Jung of South Korea in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 293 event at Qudos Bank Arena on September 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
After Carlos Ulberg captured the light heavyweight title by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the UFC 327 main event last weekend in Miami, I warned that a possible interim title would be on the table if “Black Jag” had in fact suffered a torn ACL during his victory over “BJP.”
Turns out Ulberg, 35, completely tore his ACL at UFC 327 and his decision to keep fighting also resulted in bone bruising and tibia damage, according to Ariel Helwani. The typical recovery time for that sort of procedure — best case scenario — is nine to 12 months from the date of his surgery.
That doesn’t take into account the time needed for a full training camp.
Don’t expect to see Ulberg back before 2027. We already saw what happens to light heavyweights who hurry back from major surgery. At the same time, there may not be a big rush to award a substitute strap since the 205-pound division is currently running on a lean mixture.
Anyone outside of “Big Ank” clamoring for a second Magomed Ankalaev title fight?
We also don’t know what the future holds for ex-division champion Alex Pereira. “Poatan” could get smoked by Ciryl Gane at UFC White House in June and drop back down to light heavyweight, setting up an interim title fight or perhaps an immediate showdown with Ulberg in early 2027.
Time will tell.
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