Click here!<\/a><\/p>\nBut he only needed one leg to get the job done, catching his Czech opponent with a nasty right hook before raining down a barrage of punches.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe caught him perfect, insane. Just perfect, Carlos Ulberg pulls it out with one leg. Incredible,\u201d Joe Rogan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cA champion with one knee.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jon Anik added: \u201cHe had an absolute sniper and now he is the light heavyweight champion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ulberg now has won his last 10 fights, claiming the belt vacated after Alex Pereira moved up a division, opening the path for the \u2018Black Jag\u2019 to become yet another City Kickboxing champion alongside Israel Adesanya.<\/p>\n
Carlos Ulberg crowned the new UFC light heavyweight champion.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Prochazka was the clear favourite among pundits and fellow fighters before the bout, with Michael Bisping among those tipping him to win.<\/p>\n
\u201cJiri\u2019s got that X-factor,\u201d Bisping said on his podcast during the week, but the New Zealander stunned many with a win in front of the Miami crowd.<\/p>\n
But Ulberg proved his doubters wrong with a staggering display, revealing post-fight that he \u201cblew out\u201d his knee.<\/p>\n
\u2018INSANE\u2019 HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT STUNS UFC WORLD<\/p>\n
That was simply \u201cinsane\u201d.<\/p>\n
American duo Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes have gone the distance in a bout billed the \u201ccraziest heavyweight fight of all time\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hokit had his hand raised at the end of the three rounds, but both fighters can be considered a winner after going toe-to-toe in a clash that will go down in UFC history.<\/p>\n
Commentary trio Joe Rogan, Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier struggled to get words out, consistently laughing and jeering in amazement as the pair traded barrages of punches.<\/p>\n
The early stages of the bout were dominated by Hokit, but he tired quickly after his early charge, which allowed Blaydes to gain the ascendency.<\/p>\n
Still, Hokit throughout the bout flipped his opponent the rude finger and taunted him in a fashion that was almost impossible to believe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the antidote to Reyes and Walker… Josh Hokit is insane, really insane,\u201d Rogan said.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, Hokit didn\u2019t sit down between the first and second round, with Rogan questioning that decision after the fighter was clearly exhausted.<\/p>\n
But he came out in the second, flipped the bird, and started landing big punches again which stunned Blaydes, with Anik saying: \u201cHokit can smell blood in the water\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of the craziest heavyweight fights of all time,\u201d Rogan said, while Daniel Cormier added: \u201cHow is Curtis is still standing?\u201d.<\/p>\n
Josh Hokit with a stunning victory over Curtis Blaydes.Source: FOX SPORTS<\/p>\n
Cormier also believed the bout was the \u201ccraziest heavyweight fight of all time\u201d as the pair come out and prepared for the third round.<\/p>\n
Hokit\u2019s corner called for their fighter to throw four punch flurries, but he was unable to end his opponent as the final bell sounded.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit forever linked as they go the distance,\u201d Anik said.<\/p>\n
Speaking after his win, Hokit rhymed in typical fashion with a soliloquy that rivalled those written by Shakespeare.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo the Miami mamacita, my bathwater tastes like a sweet margarita. So what is there not to like? When I pick up the mic, a puppy comes back to life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd when it\u2019s time to get litty, you know I can get jiggy. My electric slide could power this whole damn city.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m the ouch that runs his mouth and wears dirty shoes in your house, just to say \u2018f*** your coach\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll leave you with this, I toot my own horn and beat my own drum but if you think you can beat me in a fist fight, boy is you dumb.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hokit also called out Alex Pereira, with the UFC world being left stunned at the scenes that unfolded.<\/p>\n
UFC WORLD AGAINST KIWI STAR<\/p>\n
Most of the fight world is tipping former champ Jiri Prochazka to get the job done at UFC 327 \u2013 but not everyone is convinced the king of chaos will have his hand raised.<\/p>\n
Prochazka has emerged as the clear favourite among analysts and ex-fighters to defeat Kiwi star Carlos Ulberg, with several big names backing the Czech superstar to reclaim UFC gold.<\/p>\n
Hall of Famer Michael Bisping is among those tipping Prochazka, pointing to his experience in title fights and his ability to perform under pressure.<\/p>\n
\u201cJiri\u2019s got that X-factor,\u201d Bisping said on his podcast during the week.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got that will to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bisping is joined by respected former fighters Din Thomas, Dustin Poirier, Michael Chiesa, Paul Felder \u2013 all of whom believe Prochazka\u2019s unpredictability, experience and finishing instinct will prove the difference.<\/p>\n
But not everyone is convinced.<\/p>\n
Reigning featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski is among a smaller group of pros tipping Ulberg to bring the belt Down Under.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are going to say I\u2019m biased, but whatever,\u201d Volk said on his YouTube channel.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarlos \u2013 he\u2019s going to be calculated enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s going to be so much footage of Jiri. I\u2019m going to go with Carlos Ulberg – I think he can get it done.<\/p>\n
\u201cTough fight \u2013 it\u2019s definitely his biggest test yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
And there\u2019s a statistical case to back that up, too. \u2018Black Jag\u2019 holds the edge in key striking metrics, landing more significant strikes per minute while also absorbing fewer than the former champ.<\/p>\n
Other former pros tipping the upset include ex-world champion Rashad Evans and BMF star Jorge Masvidal.<\/p>\n
Another Aussie backing Ulberg is one of the nation\u2019s most respected light heavyweights, Anthony Perosh, who believes the Kiwi has what it takes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s sharp technique versus chaos,\u201d he told Fox Sports Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe fight hinges on who can dictate the pace early. Ulberg should look to manage distance and pick shots.<\/p>\n
\u201cProchazka will make it messy and hunt for the finish.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am tipping Carlos for the win by unanimous decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jiri sets sights on capturing UFC gold | 00:42<\/p>\n
Ulberg himself is confident Prochazka\u2019s chaotic style will ultimately be his undoing.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrder beats chaos when chaos puts himself in bad positions,\u201d Ulberg told Fox Sports Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd order puts chaos in check.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is chess, not checkers.\u201d<\/p>\n
It comes after Ulberg received a frosty welcome at the UFC 327 press conference on Friday, with the Miami crowd firmly throwing its support behind Prochazka.<\/p>\n
The City Kickboxing star was met with a chorus of boos each time he spoke \u2013 a stark contrast to the cheers that followed his opponent.<\/p>\n
The reaction didn\u2019t worry Ulberg, who smiled his way through it all.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not surprised at all,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a fan favourite. He\u2019s been in some great fights, so it\u2019s all good.\u201d<\/p>\n
BOOS RING OUT AFTER DISAPPOINTING BOUT<\/p>\n
The fight between Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker was billed as one of the most exciting bouts on the UFC 327 card.<\/p>\n
What was dished up was far from it, with the pair being booed heavily by the Miami crowd after a pair of renowned strikers went the distance.<\/p>\n
Throughout the bout, the orthodox versus southpaw stance allowed Walker to continually evade which meant hardly any strikes were landed.<\/p>\n
Both fighters are known for finding an early finish \u2014 but both stood idle, unsure how to pick the other apart.<\/p>\n
\u201cDominick Reyes is able to escape, my analysts are throwing their hands in the air… a forgettable fight there tonight,\u201d Jon Anik said.<\/p>\n
Ulberg talks preparations for Jiri clash | 07:43<\/p>\n
FAIRYTALE FINISH FOR SWANSON<\/p>\n
It was Cub Swanson\u2019s last UFC fight, and the last active fighter from way back in the WEC era ended his career in style.<\/p>\n
Nate Landwehr was on the receiving end of a powerful first-round knockout, with Swanson walking forward continuously to ensure he capped off a stellar career with a win.<\/p>\n
It was a staggering performance considering Swanson is 42, while Landwehr argued and wrestled with referee Herb Dean who called a stop to the bout.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat will do it, Dean intervenes, the ultimate swan song,\u201d Jon Anik said, while Daniel Cormier said: \u201cYou couldn\u2019t write a script better\u201d.<\/p>\n
Swanson ends his impressive career with a 31-14 record, having beaten current BMF champ Charles Oliveira in the past while also knocking out Dustin Poirier.<\/p>\n
Swanson\u2019s retirement, almost 22 years after his professional debut, marks the end of an era for the UFC.<\/p>\n
ULBERG PLANNING TO LURE ALEX PEREIRA BACK TO LHW<\/p>\n
Kiwi UFC star Carlos Ulberg has revealed his amibitous plan to \u201clure\u201d former champion Alex Pereira back to the 205-pound division.<\/p>\n
\u2018Poatan\u2019 vacated the title to move up a division and fight Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship at UFC Freedom 250.<\/p>\n
Ulberg will be making his first UFC title fight on Sunday and is riding a wave of momentum, having won his last nine bouts. <\/p>\n
Prochazka, meanwhile, is on a three-fight win streak after being knocked out in a title fight against Pereira back in 2024.<\/p>\n
Pereira\u2019s devastating knockout power usually has rival fighters ducking for cover, but Ulberg has challenged the former champion to come back to the division after his White House scrap.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would\u2019ve loved to have fought the champion because that would\u2019ve etched me to be the best,\u201d Ulberg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is the man right now, and he is definitely the guy that I wanted to fight for that title.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ultimately it is on Ulberg to convince Pereira that the fight is worth moving back for, with the Kiwi adding that he needs a strong performance against Prochazka to do just that.<\/p>\n
Whittaker addresses Ankalaev rumours | 02:09<\/p>\n
\u201cI think a win here, a dominant win here could definitely lure Pereira back to the division and test himself,\u201d Ulberg said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the man at the moment and to be the man you\u2019ve got to beat the man. If you want to be the best, you\u2019ve got to beat him.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s definitely the guy that I\u2019ve been keeping a close eye on and wanting that fight because I know that would be the fight to make happen. It is always focusing on me and what\u2019s at hand and in front of me.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kiwi weapon Carlos Ulberg has been crowned the light heavyweight champion after defeating Jiri Prochazka despite suffering an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":375451,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[45121,12587,2652,195914,195920,195927,195919,2147,9499,195918,195916,195921,195912,195925,195928,195926,195922,195924,195923,41944,28414,111,139,64,13902,69,2659,195929,213,195917,195915,13883,195913],"class_list":{"0":"post-375450","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-alex-pereira","9":"tag-america","10":"tag-australia-and-new-zealand","11":"tag-carlos-ulberg","12":"tag-championship-bout","13":"tag-fight-card","14":"tag-fighters-ducking","15":"tag-florida","16":"tag-getty-images-inc","17":"tag-heavyweight-championship","18":"tag-heavyweight-title-challenger","19":"tag-interim-heavyweight-championship","20":"tag-james-cooney","21":"tag-jiri-prochazka","22":"tag-josh-hedges","23":"tag-kaseya-center","24":"tag-light-heavyweight-championship","25":"tag-light-heavyweight-crown","26":"tag-light-heavyweight-fight","27":"tag-miami","28":"tag-missouri","29":"tag-new-zealand","30":"tag-newzealand","31":"tag-north-america","32":"tag-northern-america","33":"tag-nz","34":"tag-oceania","35":"tag-robert-whittaker","36":"tag-sports","37":"tag-talks-preparations","38":"tag-title-fight","39":"tag-united-states-of-america","40":"tag-world-title-statement"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=375450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/375450\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/375451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=375450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=375450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=375450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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