Analyst notes that Carlos Ulberg has scored six knockouts with his left check hook in his last 12 fights, displaying exceptional timing with the strike against both orthodox and southpaw opponents. At UFC 327, Jiri Prochazka was caught by the same punch three times before being knocked out, despite having been dropped twice by Alex Pereira with the same technique previously. The analysis questions why Prochazka didn't utilize wrestling or leg kicks after Ulberg's knee injury became apparent during the fight. Looking ahead to a potential matchup between Ulberg and Magomed Ankalaev, the analyst gives Ankalaev a slight 55-45 edge despite Ankalaev's vulnerability to the left check hook. The piece also covers Paulo Costa's knockout of Azamat Murzakanov and Josh Hokit's performance against Curtis Blaydes.
Carlos Ulberg delivered one of the most analytically compelling performances at UFC 327 on April 11, finishing Jiri Prochazka with the same left check hook he has used to score six knockouts across his last 12 fights.
Ulberg, ranked third in the light heavyweight division at 35 years old, has built a reputation as one of the sharpest timing strikers in the 205-pound weight class. The six-foot-four New Zealander, who fights out of City Kickboxing, carries a 15-1 record and lands an impressive 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The left check hook has proven dangerous against both orthodox and southpaw opponents, and on Saturday night Prochazka was caught by the same punch three times before ultimately being stopped.
The finish is particularly striking given the history Prochazka carries with that exact technique. The Czech Republic contender, now 32-6-1 and ranked second at light heavyweight, had previously been dropped twice by Alex Pereira using the same shot. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, the 33-year-old lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute and owns a 55 percent striking accuracy, yet his defensive vulnerability to the left check hook went unaddressed across multiple high-profile bouts. Post-fight analysis questioned why Prochazka failed to adjust with wrestling or leg kicks, particularly once Ulberg's knee injury became visible during the fight.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's win over the number-two ranked Prochazka strengthens his position as a legitimate title contender at 205 pounds
- A potential matchup with Magomed Ankalaev has emerged, with analysts giving Ankalaev a slight 55-45 edge while noting he shares Prochazka's vulnerability to the left check hook
- UFC 327 also saw Paulo Costa, the number-13 ranked middleweight at 16-4-0, stop Azamat Murzakanov by knockout, continuing Costa's pattern of high-volume output at 6.26 significant strikes per minute
Saturday, April 11, 2026
