Jiri Prochazka, Carlos Ulberg's Next Best Fights After UFC 327 Results
The light heavyweight division has a new champion and star in Carlos Ulberg. The 35-year-old claimed the vacant belt with a first-round TKO win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327.
The victory marks a new era in the division as Alex Pereira chases his dream of becoming a three-division champion. With Poatan moving up to heavyweight, there's space for another dominant champion to take the throne.
Ulberg will now get the first chance to become that champion. The striker's has quickly risen up the ranks with wins over Volkan Oezdemir, Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes leading up to his title shot.
Now he has a win over one of the division's most dangerous fighters. Prochazka's only losses in the last decade have come against Pereira.
The UFC could go a few different directions with the new champion. Let's take a look at the top three options as well as what could be next for Prochazka after the loss.
Ulberg's Next Best Fights
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Ulberg's opportunity to capture the vacant title came as a direct result of Alex Pereira's decision to move up to heavyweight. He's hoping Poatan's pursuit of a third UFC championship isn't permanent, though.
"I think a win here, a dominant win here could definitely lure Pereira back to the division and test himself, as well," he told media ahead of the fight. "He's the man at the moment, and to be the man you've got to beat the man. If you want to be the best, you've got to beat him," he added.
Pereira is one of the biggest stars in the sport right now and beating him would be the biggest win of Ulberg's career. However, he has to be prepared for the scenario where Pereira not only wins the heavyweight title, but wants to stay and defend it.
That should shift his focus to Magomed Ankalaev. The former champion is clearly the biggest challenge in the division now that Ulberg has beaten Prochazka. He's the only one to beat Pereira at light heavyweight.
He lost the rematch by first-round knockout so it would be understandable if he wanted another fight to get his bearings before challenging for the belt. But if he's ready to go, he should be Ulberg's first defense.
Of course, UFC matchmaking can be a prisoner of the moment. Watching Paulo Costa beat Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event could lead to a shocking booking in a title challenge.
Prochazka's Next Best Fights
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This is obviously a major blow to Prochazka's hopes of ever winning the light heavyweight title again.
But not all hope is lost in that category. This is also a sign that Ulberg is the real deal. After all, he now joins Alex Pereira as the only light heavyweight to beat Prochazka in the last decade.
The comeback path could lead back to a familiar foe. Prochazka scored a third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree Jr. to get this shot, but Rountree was convincing in the first two rounds. Running it back would not only be a fun, explosive affair, but the winner would be right back in contention for a title shot.
If Prochazka and the UFC want to get some fresh matchups in the rankings then UFC 327 co-main winner Paulo Costa should be a consideration. As previously mentioned, he could be in the running for a title shot, but it feels like there are better options.
Instead, they could pair him with Prochazka to make him take another step up in competition before giving him a title shot.
If Prochazka wants to be patient and take some time off then he could have his eye set on the May 9 light heavyweight bout between Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov.
The winner could suddenly be a relevant option.
