Fresh off a spectacular knockout victory at UFC Perth, Carlos Ulberg has set his sights on an ambitious and historic UFC record: to become the first fighter to challenge for a championship just one week after their previous bout. This bold declaration follows his dominant performance against Dominick Reyes, a win that extended his winning streak to nine and solidified his position as a prominent contender in the light heavyweight division.
Ulberg`s decisive first-round stoppage of Reyes not only cemented his status but also propelled him into the conversation for a shot at gold. However, the Kiwi star is not content to wait for a traditional title opportunity. Instead, he`s actively lobbying for an immediate, history-making challenge.
Ulberg Targets UFC 320 for Rapid Title Bid
The upcoming UFC 320 event features a highly anticipated light heavyweight championship rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. With no official backup fighter having been announced, Ulberg took a bold step, directly requesting the spot from UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell immediately after his triumph in Australia.
During his post-fight press conference, Ulberg confirmed his intention to be cageside in Las Vegas for UFC 320. He explicitly articulated his desire to make history by attempting to fight for the title just seven days after his grueling contest in Perth.
“I was speaking to Hunter just after the fight. I asked him to fly me to Vegas [for UFC 320],” Ulberg recounted. “I also said then and there, `I will be the backup for that fight.` I am here to break records, man. This is what I want to do. I don’t think anybody has… fought a fight and then also the very next weekend, fought for the title. That is what I envision, that is what I feel like can happen. I’ll get the job done.”
Historically, only one fighter, Loopy Godinez, has managed to compete in the UFC on a mere seven-day turnaround, achieving the feat in 2021. However, her second bout was not a championship contest, underscoring the truly unprecedented nature of Ulberg`s aspiration to combine a quick turnaround with a title challenge.
Magomed Ankalaev Endorses Ulberg as Future Challenger
Adding weight to Ulberg`s championship aspirations, current light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev had already expressed his interest in the Kiwi fighter as a potential challenger, even prior to the UFC Perth event. This public endorsement provides a significant boost to Ulberg`s title hopes.
While other contenders, such as Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree, are also vying for a shot, Ankalaev specifically singled out Ulberg. During a UFC 320 media scrum, the champion remarked:
“To be honest, the fight this week between Reyes and Ulberg is much more interesting to me because [Prochazka and Rountree] fought for the title multiple times – we’ve watched them in title fights. But the fight coming up this week is new guys. I mean, yeah, Reyes fought for the title before, but the other guy, [Ulberg] – I’m interested in this fight more than the other fight.”
Ankalaev`s comments highlight Ulberg`s growing prominence and the excitement surrounding his potential entry into the title picture, further fueling his quest for a truly historic turnaround in the UFC.
Neville Whittle