UFC Sets New Light Heavyweight Title Bout
With Alex Pereira vacating the belt, the UFC has announced that Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will fight for the vacant light heavyweight championship. The title bout is set to headline UFC 327 in April.
Alex Pereira's move to heavyweight created the title vacancy, part of his quest to become the first fighter in UFC history to win championships in three different weight classes. Having already secured belts at middleweight and light heavyweight, Pereira is targeting the heavyweight strap currently held by Tom Aspinall. This marks the second time Jiri Prochazka will fight for a vacant light heavyweight title. He first won the championship in June 2022 by submitting Glover Teixeira at UFC 275, becoming the first UFC champion from the Czech Republic. Prochazka was forced to vacate that same title due to a significant shoulder injury before ever defending it. His return to championship contention includes recent knockout victories over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr. Carlos Ulberg enters his first UFC title shot on an impressive nine-fight winning streak. The New Zealander, known as "Black Jag," has notable recent victories over former champion Jan Błachowicz and former title challenger Dominick Reyes. The championship bout is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2026, at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The event marks the promotion's fifth visit to the city.
