Carlos Ulberg suffers ACL tear, recovery could sideline him 12 months

Carlos Ulberg's manager Ash Belcastro has confirmed that the light heavyweight contender has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). According to Belcastro, the surgery went very well and Ulberg is focused on returning to competition as soon as possible. However, the typical recovery timeline for an ACL reconstruction can extend up to 12 months, meaning there is no guarantee Ulberg will compete again before the end of 2026. The injury raises questions about whether the UFC should introduce an interim title in the division during his absence. Ulberg's status as a top contender makes this injury significant for the division's competitive landscape.