Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg will headline UFC 327 on April 11 at Kaseya Center in Miami to fight for the vacant undisputed light heavyweight (205-pound) championship after Alex Pereira vacated the belt. The matchup was announced by UFC CEO Dana White on Feb. 27, 2026. Prochazka, a former titleholder, returns after consecutive finishes following two losses to Pereira, while Ulberg arrives on a nine-fight winning streak and a recent first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes. The decision sets up a definitive title sequence in a division left open by Pereira’s plans to move up in weight.
Key Takeaways
- UFC 327 will be headlined by Jiri Prochazka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title on April 11, 2026, at Kaseya Center in Miami.
- Alex Pereira has vacated the 205-pound belt; UFC CEO Dana White announced the new title fight on Feb. 27, 2026.
- Prochazka holds a professional record of 32-5-1 and is a former light heavyweight champion who surrendered his belt in 2022 due to injury.
- Prochazka lost twice to Pereira by second-round knockout (2023 and 2024) but has since recorded back-to-back finishes over Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr.
- Carlos Ulberg is 13-1 as a professional, signed with the UFC in 2020, rebounded from a 2021 debut loss and has won nine straight, including a first-round KO of Dominick Reyes in September.
- The fight will clarify the 205-pound pecking order while answering whether Prochazka can regain gold or whether Ulberg’s momentum elevates him to division frontrunner.
Background
The UFC light heavyweight division has been unsettled in recent seasons as champions have moved weight classes, faced injuries or changed careers. Alex Pereira captured and defended the title in high-profile bouts but has publicly expressed interest in stepping up to heavyweight, a move that preceded his vacating the belt. Prochazka first won the 205-pound championship before relinquishing it in 2022 because of an injury that sidelined him; his return to contention has been marked by emphatic finishes.
Ulberg represents a different arc: a relatively new arrival to the top tier who has built momentum rapidly. After signing with the UFC in 2020 and dropping his promotional debut in 2021, Ulberg has compiled a nine-fight run of victories that culminated in a notable first-round knockout of former title challenger Dominick Reyes. Matchmaking officials framed the Prochazka–Ulberg fight as a way to provide immediate clarity to a division without an active champion.
Main Event
The announcement on Feb. 27, 2026, came directly from UFC leadership, which confirmed the Prochazka–Ulberg matchup would headline UFC 327 in Miami on April 11. With Pereira no longer holding the belt, the promotion opted for two fighters with contrasting resumes: a former champion aiming to reclaim gold and a surging contender riding a long winning streak. The card placement reflects the UFC’s view that this pairing delivers both sporting legitimacy and commercial appeal for the light heavyweight throne.
Prochazka’s road back has featured decisive stoppages; following his second loss to Pereira in 2024, he earned consecutive finishes versus Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr., restoring momentum and demonstrating finishing ability. Prochazka’s record stands at 32-5-1 and his championship pedigree gives him familiarity with high-stakes fights and the mindset required for a title tilt. His stylistic blend of creativity and heavy finishing power remains a focal point entering the matchup.
Ulberg, at 13-1, brings a different threat: consistency, athleticism and an ascending résumé. Since his lone UFC loss in 2021 he has strung together nine wins, several by knockout, signaling steady development and improved fight IQ. His September knockout of Dominick Reyes provided a marquee win against an experienced veteran and reinforced the UFC’s decision to award him a title opportunity. The stylistic contrast—Prochazka’s unorthodox finishing instincts vs. Ulberg’s momentum and knockout résumé—frames a compelling tactical matchup for the belt.
Analysis & Implications
Sporting implications are immediate: the winner becomes a clear face of the 205-pound division and will shape the short-term title landscape. If Prochazka reclaims the belt, narrative themes about resilience and redemption will dominate, and a future unification or rematch with Pereira (should he return from heavyweight) could be promoted. For Ulberg, victory would validate his rapid rise and position him as a new-generation star with a mandate to defend against top contenders.
From a stylistic perspective, Prochazka’s unpredictability and finish rate create matchup dynamics that can neutralize a purely momentum-based approach. Ulberg’s path to victory likely requires disciplined striking range control and avoidance of Prochazka’s scrambling power moments. The tactical chess in training camps — corner strategy, game-planning for finishes, and managing pacing over five rounds — will be decisive for either man.
Economically and promotionally, the bout gives the UFC a sellable main event for a marquee spring card in Miami. The vacancy created by Pereira’s departure to the heavyweight discussion offers the UFC flexibility to cultivate new main-event stars at 205 pounds while still preserving high-profile crossover match possibilities if Pereira returns. International interest should be robust: Prochazka carries a strong following from his prior championship run, and Ulberg’s New Zealand base contributes to the sport’s growing global reach.
Comparison & Data
| Fighter | Pro Record | UFC Tenure | Recent Notable Wins | Notable Losses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiri Prochazka | 32-5-1 | 2019–present | Jamahal Hill (finish), Khalil Rountree Jr. (finish) | Alex Pereira (KO, 2023 & 2024) |
| Carlos Ulberg | 13-1 | 2020–present | Dominick Reyes (1st-round KO) | UFC debut loss (2021) |
The table highlights the contrast: Prochazka’s longer professional history and championship background versus Ulberg’s shorter but ascending UFC tenure. Prochazka’s recent victories are notable finishes against established light heavyweights; Ulberg’s streak, capped by a knockout over a former title challenger, signals a rapid rise. Both fighters bring power and finishing ability, but differing samples of experience and high-profile matchups.
Reactions & Quotes
We have a title fight that will settle who holds the 205-pound crown heading into the summer schedule.
Dana White / UFC (announcement)
UFC leadership framed the booking as a decisive step to restore order at light heavyweight following Pereira’s vacating of the belt. The promotion emphasized timing and the need for a headline act that could carry UFC 327 commercially and competitively.
This is a massive opportunity for both men — one to reclaim what he once held, the other to confirm his place among the division’s elite.
Independent MMA analyst (commentary)
Analysts noted the matchup balances narrative and merit: Prochazka’s championship history against Ulberg’s undefeated UFC run since his debut loss. Public reaction on social platforms has trended toward excitement about stylistic intrigue and the global reach of two contrasting fighters.
Unconfirmed
- Details on Alex Pereira’s timing and concrete plans to compete at heavyweight remain unconfirmed; the UFC and Pereira’s team have not issued a detailed schedule.
- The exact purses, fighter pay structure and potential rematch clauses for the Prochazka–Ulberg contract were not disclosed at the time of the announcement.
- Fight-week promotional plans, TV broadcast specifics and potential backup fighters for the main event have not been publicly finalized.
Bottom Line
The Prochazka–Ulberg pairing on April 11 hands the UFC an immediate resolution to a vacant 205-pound title and offers a clear storyline: a former champion seeking redemption against a rising knockout artist. Sporting stakes are high for both men, with stylistic contrasts promising an engaging title fight and ranking ramifications that will ripple through the division.
Looking ahead, the result will determine the short-term roadmap for the light heavyweight division — whether it re-centers around a returning champion or pivots to a new contender who can defend and build a lasting reign. Fans and matchmakers alike should watch training-camp evolution, medical reports, and promotional build for clues on how this title chapter will unfold.