Ulberg Sets Early 2027 Return After ACL Surgery

Carlos Ulberg says he will not defend his heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight title until early 2027, determined to avoid the rushed-return pitfall that derailed Shavkat Rakhmonov's welterweight campaign.

The 35-year-old New Zealander tore his ACL during his UFC 327 win over Jiri Prochazka in April but gutted through five rounds to claim the vacant strap. Now, nearly five months into rehab, Ulberg is refusing to cut corners on the recovery timeline. "I'd much prefer to be in the gym, having a push and pull with the boys," he told reporters at the UFC Shanghai media day, per MMA Mania. "But I'm a working man, and I'm doing everything to make sure that as the champion, I get myself back on the mats."

Why Ulberg Won't Rush His Title Defence

Ulberg cited Rakhmonov's stalled trajectory after the Kazakh welterweight returned too soon from injury and re-aggravated the damage. "If I come back too early, or even now, right now, it's just guarding the ACL, guarding my knee, so that when I come back, everything is in good order," Ulberg said. He added that the layoff would leave him "stronger mentally and physically for sure."

With Alex Pereira campaigning at heavyweight for the foreseeable future, the light heavyweight division sits wide open. Magomed Ankalaev holds the top contender spot, while former middleweights Paulo Costa and Robert Whittaker have begun runs at 205 pounds. Ulberg's first defence is expected in the opening quarter of 2027, though no opponent has been named.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Surgically-repaired Carlos Ulberg won’t repeat Shavkat’s mistake, sets cautious timeline for UFC return