Carlos Ulberg KOs Prochazka in first round to claim UFC 327 main event

Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka at 3:45 of the first round to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 327 on April 11.

Prochazka, a 33-year-old Czech fighter out of Jetsaam Gym Brno, entered the bout ranked second in the division with a record of 32-6-1. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, he had been one of the most aggressive strikers in the weight class, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The finish came before Prochazka could settle into his offensive rhythm.

In the co-main event, Paulo Costa knocked out Azamat Murzakanov at 1:23 of the third round. Costa, known as "The Eraser," improves to 16-4-0 at middleweight. The 35-year-old Brazilian is ranked 13th in the division and brings one of the sport's most prolific outputs, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.

Dominick Reyes, fighting out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, earned a split decision over Johnny Walker to push his record to 16-5-0. The 36-year-old American, ranked eighth at light heavyweight and standing six-foot-four, averaged 5.39 significant strikes per minute coming into the bout.

Why it matters

• Ulberg's first-round finish of the second-ranked contender immediately establishes him as the new standard-bearer at 205 pounds
• Prochazka's title hopes are set back significantly following the stoppage loss
• Reyes' split-decision win keeps him in the top-ten conversation at light heavyweight
• Costa's third-round knockout adds momentum to his campaign to work back up the middleweight rankings

Ulberg and Emmett each earned Performance of the Night bonuses, while the Emmett-Blaydes unanimous decision was awarded Fight of the Night honors. On the preliminary card, Mateusz Gamrot submitted Esteban Ribovics in round two, and Aaron Pico defeated former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision.