Carlos Ulberg needs to place himself in place to battle for the UFC’s mild heavyweight title, and sees a matchup in opposition to one other former title challenger as a logical subsequent opponent.
At UFC Battle Night time 248 at Galaxy Enviornment in Macau, Ulberg (11-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) picked up a unanimous resolution over Volkan Oezdemir, who fought for the division’s title in opposition to Daniel Cormier in 2018. Subsequent, Ulberg needs a crack at a more moderen title challenger, Khalil Rountree, who fought Alex Pereira at UFC 307 final month.
“Clearly Khalil had that chance final time, so I believe for the subsequent step, my subsequent step could be up in opposition to a man like Khalil Rountree,” Ulberg informed UFC.com in a post-fight interview.
Ulberg has gained seven straight fights within the UFC’s 205-pound division. He’s No. 10 within the promotion’s mild heavyweight rankings, however will transfer up and on the very least, swap spots with No. 8 Oezdemir (20-8 MMA, 8-7 UFC) after Saturday’s victory in Macau.
“Black Jag” is aware of there’s extra work to be performed earlier than he can name for a title shot, and sees Rountree as a strong check. In addition to a particular opponent, Ulberg additionally has a location in thoughts for his subsequent potential battle too. The UFC visits Sydney for UFC 312 in February, which might be like a house recreation for the New Zealand-born fighter.
“It could be good,” Ulberg stated. “It’s at all times good to compete in entrance of our personal followers and folks again dwelling, or nearer to dwelling, anyway. If anybody else nearer to the title could be able to battle me in that quick area of time, however yeah (I might wish to battle in Sydney).”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Battle Night time 248.
Make sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.