UFC Books Vacant Light Heavyweight Title Fight
The UFC light heavyweight title is up for grabs after Alex Pereira vacated the belt. Jiri Prochazka will now face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant championship in the main event of UFC 327 in Miami. The card is also adding key lightweight bouts between Beneil Dariush and Manuel Torres, and Mateusz Gamrot and Esteban Ribovics.
Alex Pereira's ambition to become the first three-division champion in UFC history prompted his move to heavyweight and the subsequent vacating of his light heavyweight title. The decision opened the door for a new champion to be crowned in the 205-pound division. This marks Jiri Prochazka's opportunity to reclaim the belt he never lost in competition. The first Czech UFC champion, Prochazka vacated the title in late 2022 due to a severe shoulder injury before winning it back and then losing it to Pereira. He comes into this fight with 28 of his 32 professional wins coming by way of knockout. Carlos Ulberg rides a nine-fight winning streak into his first-ever UFC title opportunity. A product of New Zealand's City Kickboxing, his recent run includes significant victories over former champion Jan Błachowicz and former title challenger Dominick Reyes. The UFC 327 card in Miami will also feature a championship bout in the flyweight division. Reigning champion Joshua Van is set to defend his title against undefeated Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira. In a pivotal lightweight clash, Beneil Dariush aims to bounce back from a stunning 16-second knockout loss in his last fight. He is facing the dangerous Manuel "El Loco" Torres, who is on a three-fight winning streak with all victories coming by first-round stoppage. The other featured lightweight bout pits Mateusz Gamrot against Esteban Ribovics. Gamrot is looking to regain his footing after losing two of his last three fights, including a submission loss to Charles Oliveira. Ribovics enters the contest having won four of his last five fights.
