Ulberg Suggests Ankalaev Vs. Prochazka For Title Shot

Carlos Ulberg laid out his vision for the heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight division while recovering from surgery.

The UFC champion posted on social media Sunday that Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka should meet in a full-camp bout to determine one title challenger, per BJPenn.com. Ulberg also floated Khalil Rountree against Paulo Costa as a wildcard matchup, with the winner of both fights earning a shot at his belt.

Ulberg Targeting Early 2027 Return After ACL Surgery

"After last night's fight, here are my thoughts, Ankalaev vs. Jiri," Ulberg wrote. "Give them both a full camp. It's a fight the division deserves, and stylistically it's one the fans would love to see. Rountree vs. Costa. That's the wildcard. High risk. High reward. Someone's leaving with serious momentum. By the time the dust settles, I'll be ready. Whoever earns it. See you in 2027."

Ulberg told the UFC on Paramount+ crew following UFC Abu Dhabi that he was confident he understood what Ankalaev brings after watching the Russian stop Bogdan Guskov in Saturday's main event. The champion is sidelined until early next year after tearing his ACL during his title win over Prochazka at UFC 327 in Miami.

Rountree was originally scheduled to face Ankalaev this past Saturday before an injury forced him off the card. Costa has been pushing for a big heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight fight since moving up from middleweight, and both Ankalaev and Prochazka have traded words on social media in recent weeks.

Original reporting:

• bjpenn.com — Carlos Ulberg suggests Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jiri Prochazka and a 'wildcard' fight with potential title implications: "Whoever earns it" | BJPenn.com