Carlos Ulberg secured the UFC light heavyweight championship on Saturday, defeating Jiří Procházka in the first round at UFC 327 in Miami.
Ulberg (14-1) dropped Procházka with a left hook. This came moments after an apparent injury to his right knee. The injury occurred during an exchange when Ulberg’s knee buckled as he stepped backward and slipped.
Ulberg got back to his feet but was visibly compromised. He slipped again shortly after throwing a head kick.
Ulberg’s Knockout Blow
Ulberg landed a left hook that sent Procházka crashing to the canvas. Ulberg then followed with shots on the ground. He secured the sixth knockout of his career at the 3:45 mark.
“I blew out my knee, but I never counted myself out,” Ulberg said. “I knew that all I needed was that one shot. I knew Jiri would come forward. I knew as soon as I landed the left hand, he was gone. I’ve got to sort this knee out, but I’m the champion.”
Procházka’s Reaction to the Loss
Procházka (32-6-1), who previously held the title, said he recognised Ulberg was injured and dropped his guard.
“I felt mercy in that fight,” Procházka said. “I felt sorry for him. This is one of the biggest lessons in my life. I can’t understand. That fight was won. I won that fight. I had it. It was in my hand. I just let him [back] because I saw his injury. F—. Life is about that. Learn and be better.”
Procházka appeared to immediately notice the injury. He even pointed to the ground in front of Ulberg, seemingly gesturing that he would stand and trade in place with the New Zealander. Procházka landed several leg kicks after the injury, all to Ulberg’s lead left leg.
White’s and Ulberg’s Condition
UFC CEO Dana White said he did not have an update on Ulberg’s injury.
Ulberg trains out of the same City Kickboxing Gym as Israel Adesanya. He outlanded Procházka in the fight 21-11, according to UFC Stats. He joined Alex Pereira and Muhammed Lawal as the only men to knock out Procházka.