Prochazka to face Ulberg for vacant UFC title as Pereira relinquishes belt

Jiri Prochazka will face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light-heavyweight title at UFC 327 after Alex Pereira relinquished the belt.

UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the 205lb championship bout will headline the event at the Kaseya Center in Miami on 11 April.

The announcement confirms that Pereira has vacated the strap, following the Brazilian’s previous suggestions that he intends to move up to the heavyweight division.

Pereira’s reign ends

White did not explicitly comment on the circumstances surrounding the former champion’s decision to end his title reign.

Pereira’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding his immediate future.

The kickboxing specialist leaves the division at the summit, having defended the title three times in 2024.

Prochazka seeks redemption

Prochazka, a former holder of the belt, famously vacated the title himself in 2022 after suffering a severe shoulder injury.

The Czech fighter fell short in two attempts to reclaim the crown against Pereira, suffering second-round knockouts in both 2023 and 2024.

However, the 32-year-old has re-established his contender status with consecutive finishes against Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr since that last defeat.

Ulberg’s rapid rise

Ulberg enters his first UFC title fight in excellent form, currently riding a nine-fight winning streak.

The New Zealander, who trains alongside former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, secured his opportunity with a first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes in September.

After losing his promotional debut in 2021, the 34-year-old has remained unbeaten inside the octagon.