Carlos Wolberg has clarified the circumstances surrounding a possible struggle with Jiri Prochaska, expressing curiosity in going through both former champion or present gentle heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira as his subsequent opponent.
The New Zealand fighter addressed claims from Czech Republic’s Prochaska that he turned down the chance to struggle. In response to Ulberg, the state of affairs was extra sophisticated than a easy refusal. The participant defined that he had postponed his scheduled match as a result of harm and requested that the match be rescheduled to November, the place he would have adequate time for rehabilitation.
Carlos Ulberg talks about Jiri Prochaska struggle and future title plans
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Ullberg defined:
“If Alex jumps as much as heavyweight, I consider he’ll struggle Giri and that is a struggle that might occur too. So I am excited for that struggle too. I do know he mentioned I turned down the struggle for some motive, however… I believe it was all blown out of context, however that is utterly false. We really agreed to a match. We will have a match quickly, so watch out what you ask for. – Possibly I can get it.”
Ullberg revealed that he didn’t count on the UFC to inform Prochaska of the harm and request for a postponement. He famous that going through Prochaska could be a harmful struggle that required correct preparation, particularly contemplating that he was on an eight-fight successful streak on the time and was seeking to advance his title aspirations.
The 34-year-old lastly confronted Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth on Sept. 27 with a first-round knockout, extending his win streak to 9 fights. With this consequence, he has solidified his place because the No. 3 candidate within the gentle heavyweight division with a complete skilled file of 13 wins and 1 loss.
Concerning doable future matchmaking, Ulberg admitted {that a} match with Prochaska could be one other viable possibility if Pereira strikes as much as heavyweight for a 3rd championship. He confirmed that his staff had certainly agreed to the struggle, opposite to reviews suggesting in any other case.
Ullberg issued a warning concerning the potential matchup, saying individuals must be cautious as a result of they might get what they ask for, and hinted that he’s assured in his potential to defeat the previous champion once they finally meet.
The sunshine heavyweight title struggle stays in flux after Pereira regained the title with a powerful 80-second knockout of Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 on Oct. 5. Prochaska additionally returned to title rivalry with a powerful third-round knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr. on the similar occasion.
Pereira has expressed curiosity in shifting as much as heavyweight to face Jon Jones on the UFC White Home occasion scheduled for June 14, 2026. Jones responded positively to the decision on social media, saying he accepts the problem and intends to convey his highest ability degree to the competitors.
Ullberg has made it clear that he would favor to face Pereira whereas the Brazilian nonetheless holds the sunshine heavyweight title moderately than struggle for the vacant championship. He described the potential matchup with Pereira as an vital match that represents what followers wish to see, characterizing it as one thing that might convey some recent blood into the title image.
The Metropolis Kickboxing consultant emphasised that defeating a proficient fighter like Pereira will show that he has reached the very best degree of the game. Nevertheless, he acknowledged different candidates whereas protecting his essential concentrate on the struggle towards Pereira.
Ullberg is at the moment on a nine-fight successful streak within the gentle heavyweight division within the UFC, tied with Ankalaev for the second-longest lively successful streak within the historical past of the division. His latest victories embrace knockout wins over Reyes and Alonzo Menifield, and determination wins over former champion Jan Blachowicz and veteran Volkan Oezdemir.
Whether or not Ulberg takes on Czech fighter Prochaska in a No. 1 contender’s struggle or takes on Pereira for an instantaneous title shot will largely rely on the champion’s determination to maneuver to heavyweight. If Pereira pursues Jones at heavyweight, Ulberg and Prochaska will doubtless struggle for both the interim title or the vacant championship.
