Carlos Ulberg shares latest return update in reserved response to Magomed Ankalaev’s win

Carlos Ulberg is hoping to defend his light heavyweight title early in 2027.

Ulberg tore his ACL when winning the belt in April, creating an unlucky delay at the highest of the 205-pound division.

Some argued that former champion Magomed Ankalaev deserved to be fighting for the belt earlier this yr after being omitted of the vacant title matchup.

As an alternative, the Russian made his return this past Saturday, which the present champion was in attendance for to look at up close.

After returning to winning ways at UFC Abu Dhabi, what’s next for Magomed Ankalaev? 🤔

The Dagestani former champion finished Bogdan Guskov in a lackluster essential event 😴

Carlos Ulberg plans to fight early in 2027 after seeing what he needed to see from Magomed Ankalaev

Carlos Ulberg was optimistic about his recovery when speaking in April concerning the steps he’d taken after undergoing surgery.

Despite this, the sunshine heavyweight champion revealed at UFC Abu Dhabi that he doesn’t think he’ll fight again this yr in an effort to avoid coming back too soon.

Ulberg told the UFC in a backstage interview after the event that he’s taking a look at returning early in 2027 in an effort to balance wanting to fight again soon but doing so safely.

‘Black Jag’ was also asked to share his response to the essential event having previously identified Magomed Ankalaev as a possible first challenger for him.

Ulberg commented on the state of the sunshine heavyweight division when remaining tight-lipped on what he saw from Ankalaev.

“I saw what I needed to see, and I’ll ensure I do every little thing I can to get back in there,” he said. “The division is somewhat shaky for the time being. Nobody may be very dominant for the time being. I saw what I needed to see. I’ll leave it at that… I’ve all the time seen Ankalaev as a top contender,” Ulberg added. “So he’s definitely one in all the blokes that will probably be up next as well.”

Should the UFC create an interim light heavyweight title? 👀

Carlos Ulberg faces as much as a yr on the sidelines after tearing his ACL at UFC 327.

The UFC likely has five numbered events remaining in 2026 that don’t have title fights announced as of yet.

With that in mind, it still doesn’t seem out of the query that the promotion will create an interim light heavyweight title before Ulberg is capable of return.

Ankalaev could have suggested a clash with Paulo Costa for an interim belt, but after a heavily criticized essential event on Saturday, it seems unlikely that the promotion will probably be rushing to book the Russian in one other big spot.