Carlos Ulberg reveals knee injury details after UFC 327 win

Carlos Ulberg has opened up about the serious knee injury he sustained during his victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327 on April 11, revealing that the damage was significant enough to nearly incapacitate him inside the cage.

The 35-year-old New Zealander, fighting out of City Kickboxing, improved his record to 15-1-0 with the win and holds the number-three ranking in the light heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four at 193 cm with a 77-inch reach, Ulberg is one of the more active strikers in the division, averaging 6.54 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The victory came at a steep physical cost, however. Ulberg described a sensation of his knee slipping in and out of the joint during the bout, and afterward reported severe swelling, an inability to bear weight on the leg, and pain he called unbearable.

Prochazka, the Czech Republic-based contender ranked second at light heavyweight, entered the contest with a 32-6-1 record at 33 years of age. The six-foot-three, 191 cm fighter is known for his high output and aggressive style, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy and carrying an 80-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical presence. The loss drops Prochazka to his second defeat in the division's top tier.

Why it matters

• Ulberg's win over the number-two-ranked Prochazka strengthens his case as a title contender from the number-three position.
• The severity of the knee injury raises questions about how quickly Ulberg can return to competition and pursue that opportunity.
• Both fighters are high-volume orthodox strikers, making Ulberg's ability to gut out the finish while compromised a notable display of resilience.