Carlos Ulberg reacts to Ankalaev UFC Abu Dhabi win

heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">Light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg watched Magomed Ankalaev grind out a fifth-round finish over Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday and came away unimpressed but informed.

Ulberg was cageside at Etihad Arena as a featured guest and told UFC reporter Charly Arnolt afterward that the performance confirmed his read on Ankalaev as a title threat. "I saw what I needed to see, and I'll make sure I do everything I can to get back in there," he said, per MMA Mania. "The division is a little shaky at the moment. No one is very dominant at the moment."

Ulberg targeting early 2027 return from ACL tear

The champion is rehabbing a torn ACL suffered during his knockout win over Jiri Prochazka and expects to be cleared for action early next year. He said he is working closely with the UFC Performance Institute to return quickly without risking reinjury. That timeline gives the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight division several months to sort out the next challenger.

Ankalaev stopped the ninth-ranked Guskov with strikes late in round five, but the bout drew criticism from fans for a slow pace through the first four frames. Ulberg acknowledged Ankalaev as a top contender and said he is definitely one of the guys in line for a title shot. With Alex Pereira moved up to heavyweight and Prochazka coming off a loss, the 205-pound picture remains wide open heading into the fall.

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• MMA Mania — Carlos Ulberg reacts to Magomed Ankalaev’s ho-hum UFC Abu Dhabi win – ‘Saw what I needed’