Carlos Ulberg lays out how he would book UFC light heavyweight title contender picture

UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, sidelined since April after tearing his ACL while knocking out Jiri Prochazka to win the vacant 205-pound title, has weighed in on how the promotion should structure the division's title-contention picture during his recovery.

Ulberg was cageside at UFC Abu Dhabi to watch Magomed Ankalaev dismantle Bogdan Guskov with a fifth-round knockout in the main event. The loss of Alex Pereira, who vacated the light heavyweight belt to compete at heavyweight, has left the division in flux, though Ankalaev, Prochazka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. remain prominent contenders.

On Instagram Stories, Ulberg addressed his health and offered his blueprint for establishing a No. 1 contender. "After last night's fight, here's my thoughts," he wrote. "Ankalaev vs. Jiri. Give them both a full camp. It's a fight the division deserves, and stylistically it's one the fans would love to see." He also suggested a secondary matchup: "Costa vs. Rountree. That's the wild card. High risk, high reward."

Ulberg emphasized his focus remains on recovery rather than booking. "My responsibility is simple: Get healthy. Stay fit. Stay ready," he stated, clarifying that title matchmaking falls to the UFC. While ACL tears typically sideline athletes for extended periods, Ulberg has maintained optimism about his timeline. He ruled out competing in 2026 but expressed confidence he will be ready to defend his championship in 2027 against whichever contender emerges as most deserving.