MIAMI (AP) 鈥� Carlos Ulberg鈥檚 whole purpose of making the switch from kickboxing to and joining UFC was to punctuate his presence in combat sports as one of the best.
After Ulberg served former light heavyweight challenger Dominick Reyes a first-round knockout in Perth, Australia, the New Zealand native said he would fight anyone to earn a shot at the title.
Turns out, he already did.
With former champion vacating the belt to move up and challenge for the interim heavyweight crown at UFC Freedom 250 at The White House on June 14, Ulberg (14-1-0) earned his spot across Ji艡铆 Proch谩zka (32-5-1) in the main event of Saturday鈥檚 UFC 327 card in Miami.
鈥淚f I鈥檓 going to do anything, I鈥檓 going to be the best at it, in any sport,鈥� Ulberg said. 鈥淎nd anything I wanted to do was get to the very top of that mountain. And that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 essentially here to do.鈥�
Riding a nine-fight win streak into his championship bout, Ulberg confidently added he鈥檚 never doubted his ability while saying he won鈥檛 need five rounds to defeat Proch谩zka.
鈥淚 always knew I was going to be the best, and I was working toward being the best of this division,鈥� Ulberg said. 鈥淵ou throw a punch, and it could land, and anyone can fall. It鈥檚 a game of inches.
鈥淚 always have that belief in myself, and now we鈥檙e here. It鈥檚 about proving it to others.鈥�
Proch谩zka, who held the belt briefly in 2022 and will make his fourth appearance in a UFC title fight, arrives in Miami after defeating his last two opponents by third-round knockout.
And while Proch谩zka insists he鈥檚 been dialed in and focused more than ever, even after the recent birth of his daughter, Ulberg is convinced he鈥檚 scouted for this moment perfectly.
鈥淗e is a smart man, I鈥檓 sure he鈥檚 gotten himself to this level for a reason,鈥� Ulberg said of Proch谩zka. 鈥淚 definitely see a lot of holes in the game. I think there are a lot of fighters with holes in their game. I鈥檓 purely focused on what I鈥檓 going to bring to the table.
鈥淚 go in there and do what I do best.鈥�
Proch谩zka is a slight favorite (-120) at BetMGM Sportsbook, which means a bettor would have to lay $120 to win $100.
On the main undercard, fellow light heavyweights Azamat Murzakanov (16-0-0) and Paulo Costa (15-4-0) will battle in what might end up being a qualifier for the victor to meet the winner of Ulberg and Proch谩zka.
Fifth-ranked heavyweight Curtis Blaydes (19-5-0) will battle undefeated Josh Hokit (8-0-0).
Reyes (15-5-0), now the 10th-ranked light heavyweight, will battle No. 12 Johnny Walker (22-9-0).
In the featherweight division, Cub Swanson (30-14-0) will meet Nate Landwehr (18-7-0).
___
AP MMA:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
