Dana White has stated he will not strip Carlos Ulberg of a title shot or introduce an interim championship belt while Alex Pereira recovers. White indicated the situation will only be resolved after a personal meeting with those involved. This suggests the UFC is committed to waiting for Pereira's return rather than creating an interim title. Ulberg remains the top contender for the light heavyweight championship. The decision means the division will remain in limbo until Pereira is cleared to compete and a title fight can be scheduled.
UFC President Dana White has made clear he has no intention of creating an interim light heavyweight title while champion Alex Pereira recovers, and that a resolution will only come after he sits down personally with the parties involved.
Pereira, 38, holds the light heavyweight title with a professional record of 13 wins and 4 losses. The Brazilian, who trains out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness, stands six-foot-four with a 79-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the division, landing significant strikes at a rate of 5.16 per minute with an accuracy of 62 percent. His recovery timeline has left the 205-pound division without a clear path forward.
Standing by while the situation unfolds is Carlos Ulberg, the New Zealand striker out of City Kickboxing who is currently ranked third in the light heavyweight division. Ulberg, 35, carries a record of 15 wins and 1 loss and brings elite striking volume to the table, averaging 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. At six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, "Black Jag" has the physical profile to match Pereira and remains the top contender for the belt.
White's refusal to sanction an interim title signals that the UFC views Pereira's championship reign as ongoing and does not want to complicate a future undisputed title fight. The promotion appears willing to hold the division in place rather than muddy the picture with an interim strap.
Why it matters
- The light heavyweight division remains stalled until Pereira is medically cleared to compete
- Ulberg retains his top contender status but has no confirmed fight date
- White's stance rules out any alternative title fight at 205 pounds in the near term
- A personal meeting with those involved suggests a resolution could still be several steps away
