New UFC champ Ulberg has surgery on torn ACL

April 17, 2026 No Comments

Ulberg, new UFC light heavyweight champion, undergoes ACL surgeryBrett OkamotoApr 17, 2026, 01:09 PM ETClose

Brett Okamoto has stated on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: “Chuck and Tito,” which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.

Follow on X

Multiple Authors

UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg has undergone knee surgery for a torn ACL, following his title win over JiYí Procházka at UFC 327 last weekend.

Ulberg (14-1) suffered the injury during the first round of Saturday’s 205-pound championship fight in Miami. The New Zealander still managed to knock out Prochazka with a left hook, despite fighting on one leg. Ulberg posted about the surgery from Las Vegas this week, and his manager Ash Belcastro verified he tore his ACL to Uncrowned.

Editor’s Picks

Ulberg says he lost UFC title belt celebrating win

UFC 327 what’s next: Who should challenge for Carlos Ulberg’s championship first?

Brett Okamoto

The UFC has not unveiled what will happen to the light heavyweight belt during Ulberg’s recovery. The promotion has had a string of unfortunate circumstances within that division, including three title vacancies in the last four years. Prochazka and Jamahal Hill vacated the belt due to injuries in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Recently, Alex Pereira vacated the belt to move up to heavyweight in February.

Immediately after his loss at UFC 327, Prochazka (32-6-1) claimed he felt “mercy” for Ulberg after the knee injury occurred in the opening round, which led to the loss. Prochazka has already called for an immediate rematch. The division’s other highly ranked contenders include former champions Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz, and Khalil Rountree Jr.