Carlos Ulberg targets 2027 return after ACL injury

Light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg provided an injury update following UFC Abu Dhabi, revealing that he is targeting an early 2027 return after suffering an ACL injury. Ulberg sustained the damage during his title-winning knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka earlier this year. Rather than rush his recovery, the champion emphasized his commitment to a measured rehabilitation process working closely with the UFC Performance Institute.

"I'm just making sure I do everything I need to keep on task with my injury, but then also just been working closely with the UFC PI and make sure I can get back in there as quickly as possible, but also as safely as possible," Ulberg explained to UFC's Charly Arnolt. "We're looking at early next year, so 2027 if we're being smart, so we don't come in too early and re-injure ourselves."

While sidelined, Ulberg has been monitoring the light heavyweight landscape. He offered congratulations to Magomed Ankalaev following the Abu Dhabi main event and suggested potential contender matchups to determine his next challenger. The champion proposed that Ankalaev face Jiri Prochazka while Paulo Costa takes on Khalil Rountree to establish the top contender. Ulberg noted that the division remains relatively open at the moment, with no dominant force emerging while he recovers.