Carlos Ulberg, the newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion, faces a significant layoff following his impressive victory at UFC 327. In the main event, Ulberg secured the vacant 205-pound strap by knocking out Jiri Prochazka in the first round. However, his path to victory was fraught with immense challenges, as he sustained a severely injured knee during the bout, visibly struggling to put weight on his leg and maintain balance.
Remarkably, Prochazka did not capitalize on Ulberg’s evident distress. Soon after, Ulberg, fighting on one leg, managed to catch his opponent off guard, secure a knockdown, and finish the fight with aggressive ground-and-pound to claim the UFC title.
Ulberg underwent knee surgery yesterday and shared the news with his fans on social media. His manager, Ash Belcastro, confirmed to Ariel Helwani that Ulberg tore his ACL during the fight. The surgery, performed yesterday, was reported to have gone very well. Belcastro also revealed that fighting for several minutes with a torn ACL resulted in tibia damage and bone bruising. Despite the severity of the injuries, the outlook is positive, with Belcastro stating Ulberg’s dedication to a swift recovery.
Estimates for ACL recovery typically range from six to nine months, with competitive athletes often advised to allow additional time for a full return. Considering Ulberg’s condition and the need for comprehensive rehabilitation, even with top-tier medical care, a return to action is more likely next year. In the interim, the UFC may consider an interim light heavyweight title bout to keep the division active.
English Translation:
Carlos Ulberg’s Insane Title Win at UFC 327 Came with Torn ACL and Tibia Damage
Newly minted UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg will not return to the octagon anytime soon. This past weekend, “Black Jag” captured the championship after knocking out Jiri Prochazka in Round 1 of the UFC 327 main event, where the vacant 205-pound strap was up for grabs. During the bout, Ulberg had to overcome severe adversity as he could barely put weight on his leg and was visibly off-balance with an injured knee after Prochazka tore into it.
But the Czech star didn’t press for the finish, and soon after, the Kiwi caught him off guard, dropped him, and followed up with vicious ground-and-pound to win the UFC title on one leg.
Carlos Ulberg underwent knee surgery yesterday and informed fans the same via social media. Now Ulberg’s manager, Ash Belcastro, has confirmed to Ariel Helwani that “Black Jag” snapped his ACL at UFC 327, went under the knife yesterday, and the procedure “went really well.” Belcastro also informed Helwani that since Ulberg fought for a few minutes with a torn ACL, he has experienced tibia damage and bone bruising. However, now things look better, and as per the manager: “[Ulberg] is dedicated to getting back as soon as he can.”
When will Carlos Ulberg return?
According to Cleveland Clinic, a busted-up ACL usually takes six to nine months to heal. However, competitive athletes are advised to give it a little more time before getting back into business. In Ulberg’s case, even with top-tier medical care, physio, and a proper rehab process, the 35-year-old is more likely to be back in action next year. In the meantime, the UFC could book an interim light heavyweight title bout to keep the division moving.