UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rules Out Alex Pereira Title Showdown at 205 Pounds

Carlos Ulberg, the UFC light heavyweight champion, has dismissed the possibility of facing Alex Pereira at 205 pounds.

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rules Out Alex Pereira Title Showdown at 205 Pounds

The UFC light heavyweight champion wants to face Alex Pereira at heavyweight [via Yahoo Sports]

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira tried to create history by challenging for a third UFC belt at the White House. However, he was unsuccessful in his bid for the interim heavyweight title. Despite this, fans may soon see another light heavyweight champion move up to the UFC’s heaviest weight class as Carlos Ulberg has expressed interest in fighting at heavyweight.

Ulberg became champion a couple of months ago at UFC 327 when he beat former champion Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light heavyweight title. The bout itself played out wildly as the 35-year-old injured his knee just minutes into the first round. Even so, he managed to persevere through the injury, eventually knocking out Prochazka in the first round to capture the belt.

However, that injury turned out to be quite serious as it has ruled out the New Zealand native for the forseeable future. Nonetheless, the UFC light heavyweight champion has lofty goals for when he eventually comes back. The ‘Black Jag’ recently revealed his plans to follow ‘Poatan’ up to heavyweight and fight him in his new weight class.

It’s hard for someone like that to come down and make 93 kg again…It’s not like he’s completely out of the picture for another title shot if he doesn’t do well [at UFC Freedom 250]. I think he’s done his dash at in the light heavyweight division and he’s gonna continue in the heavyweight division and I’ll see you there.

Carlos Ulberg on Alex Pereira fight

Alex Pereira just confirmed that he sees himself competing at heavyweight for the remainder of his career. So any light heavyweight who wants to face him will need to make the jump, including the champion. That said, Carlos Ulberg still plans to defend his newly won light heavyweight title before he leaves the division.

I’ll do my thing in the light heavyweight division and defend my title many times. Then I’m going to put on a bit of size because I’m getting older and things are not working the way they should be.

Carlos Ulberg via Full Send MMA

As things stand, Alex Pereira is still ranked at No.2 in the light heavyweight division. He is, however, not ranked in the UFC’s heavyweight division. So, the Brazilian finds himself in a unique situation after his shocking loss to Ciryl Gane last Sunday. On the other hand, Ulberg may not be at heavyweight just yet, but the seeds may already be sown for a potential clash against a top heavyweight.

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Carlos Ulberg was confronted by Alex Pereira’s rival during the build to UFC 327

Josh Hokit has proven himself to be a firestarter in almost every public appearance he makes. Whether it is targeting Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria at a press conference in Newark or riling up Derrick Lewis at the ceremonial weigh-ins, the undefeated heavyweight has no dearth of conflicts. However, during the buildup to UFC 327, before he started these feuds, the American heavyweight went after Carlos Ulberg.

Carlos Ulberg, Alex Pereira, Josh Hokit
Josh Hokit feuded with Carlos Ulberg before Alex Pereira [via Yahoo Sports and RDX Sports Blog]

Being on the same card, the two ran into each other before the event. Their interaction was brief yet telling with Hokit playing up his WWE-like persona and trash talking the Kiwi. Ulberg, for his part, looked confused by the exchange before commenting that the ‘Incredible Hok’ was funny.

What’s up dog? You’re kinda big though. You wanna come up to heavyweight? Yeah, you don’t want none of this.

Josh Hokit to Carlos Ulberg

Carlos Ulberg wasn’t the only UFC fighter from a lower weight class that Josh Hokit would find himself in conflict with. He also managed to antagonize Paulo Costa following the event over a dispute involving their post-fight bonuses. This feud kicked up a notch with ‘Borrachinha’ even offering to move up to heavyweight in pursuit of a fight against Hokit but nothing has materialized so far.

Since then, the brash heavyweight has found himself in other controversies. He has kept his rivalry with Alex Pereira alive, calling him out after his win over Lewis at UFC Freedom 250. However, his feud with Ulberg has not escalated yet but things could easily change if the Kiwi makes his way to the heavyweight division.

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