UFC 327 live blog: Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg
· Yahoo Sports
This is the UFC 327 live blog for Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg, the vacant light heavyweight championship main event Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Prochazka (32-5-1) has a chance to become a two-time UFC champion if he is victorious tonight. Currently No. 17 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, Prochazka is one of the most exciting fighters in all of combat sports, with 28 knockout victories to his name (and a handful of memorable losses, too). The Czech star previously won the light heavyweight belt from Glover Teixeira in an all-time classic at UFC 275, but has fell short in two title bouts since, both against Teixeira’s longtime student Alex Pereira.
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However, with Pereira out of the picture in pursuit of heavyweight gold, the path is clear for Prochazka to reclaim gold. Well, except for Ulberg standing in his way.
Ulberg (13-1) has steadily climbed his way up the 205-pound ladder after losing in his UFC debut. He is the hottest fighter in the division with nine straight victories to his name, having defeated the likes of Dominick Reyes, former champion Jan Blachowicz, and Volkan Oezdemir. Can Ulberg make it 10 straight and etch his name in the history books alongside some of the biggest stars in UFC history?
Check out the UFC 327 live blog for Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg below.
Preamble
Soon, there shall be order in the land of 205 again. Sure, it’s Alex Pereira’s leftovers, but I’ll tip my cap to tonight’s winner and acknowledge them as the legit light heavyweight champion. Why not? “Poatan” ain’t coming back.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t confident Carlos Ulberg would make it to a title fight, but he just kept chipping away and improving and here we are. He’s worthy.
Now what is he going to do when he has a raging Jiri Prochazka coming at him?
Always tell me the odds
As of now, on FanDuel, this is as close as it gets: Prochazka -106, Ulberg -116.
Round 1
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage.
Ulberg lands an outside leg kick. Prochazka in with a quick flurry, he scored there. Ulberg with another leg kick, he knows what he has to do to keep Prochazka contained. Some hand-fighting and Prochazka takes the opportunity to advance. It looks like Ulberg might have jammed his knee or something, Prochazka tests the leg out with a kick.
Ouch, it looks like Ulberg’s leg just buckled. Prochazka taking his time still, but Ulberg could be compromised. Prochazka going to low kicks, Ulberg limping. Prochazka nods at Ulberg, almost encouraging him to continue, but every time Ulberg has to plant he’s struggling.
Check left hook on the money from Ulberg and Prochazks IS HURT BAD. Ulberg pounces and he’s landing big punches, Prochazka going limp. THIS ONE IS OVER. OH MY.
Official result: Carlos Ulberg def. Jiri Prochazka via KO (punches) (R 1, 3:45)
Post-fight
Joe Rogan asks right away what’s up with Ulberg’s leg.
“I blew out my knee,” Ulberg said. “But I never, ever counted myself out. I knew that all I needed was that one shot and I ended up getting it, so I knew that Jiri was hesitant to come forward and soon as I land my left hand he’s gone. But I’ve got to sort this knee out, but we’re champions.”
“That’s what it’s about, it’s about getting to those moments and we found it. We found that one kill shot. He said he would hunt me, but you can’t hunt what you can’t kill.”
“King Carlos, baby!!!”
Damn, it’s real.