Carlos Ulberg won’t be celebrating much, even though there’s much to celebrate.
In the UFC Fight Night 260 main event Saturday, Ulberg (13-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) flattened Dominick Reyes (15-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) for a first-round knockout that thrilled the Perth, Western Australia crowd at RAC Arena.
“It’s time to celebrate – (only) a little bit, because we’ve got other plans,” Ulberg said at a post-fight news conference backstage.
Immediately following his win, Ulberg walked over to the edge of the cage where UFC chief operating officer Hunter Campbell sat. The two had a conversation and Ulberg said he asked to be there for next Saturday’s UFC 320 title bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Campbell obliged.
“He said, ‘Sweet, all good.’ So we’re all good now,” Ulberg said. “We’re going to fly to Vegas. I was going to say it then and there, but I didn’t confirm. I will be the backup for that fight.”
It’s unclear whether or not Ulberg will officially be the backup fighter, who hits the scales the morning before fight night as a potential step-in should there be an emergency title fight withdrawal.
One way or another, Ulberg is gunning for gold – and he’s confident he’ll get it.
“I’m here to break records,” Ulberg said. “This is what I want to do. From the top of my head, I don’t think anyone has fought a fight and then also the very next weekend fight for the title. That’s what I envision. That’s what I feel like can happen. So I put it in the air. I just want to be there. I just want to be there anyway first. But if they can make me the backup, that’d be awesome. If anyone falls out, I’m there. I’ll get the job done.”
So who does Ulberg think he’ll face should he earn the second-to-next crack at UFC light heavyweight gold? Each option has an upside.
“I think both guys would be massive for sure,” Ulberg said. “Fighting Pereira would be historical. He’s massive. He’s got a big following. Everyone loves the guy. Finishing someone like him would be awesome. Fighting a guy like him would be great on its own. But when you look at Ankalaev, who has been dominant and he’s also beaten Pereira, you beat someone like him, it just means you’re at the top. It means no one can touch you. That’s what I want. I want to make sure I can beat the best. If you want to be the best, if you want to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. Right now, I’m the man. I don’t even have the title. I’m the man.”
