Carlos Ulberg still believes there’s a chance he could face Alex Pereira one day.
Pereira is set to vacate his light heavyweight belt, and this weekend’s UFC 327 main event will determine who takes his place.
With the Brazilian moving up to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in June, the 205-pound crown will be up for grabs when Ulberg faces former champion Jiri Prochazka in Miami.
If he delivers as planned at the Kaseya Center, though, Ulberg believes it might just be enough to draw ‘Poatan’ back down to 205 pounds.
Ulberg aims to tempt Pereira back
While Ulberg is pleased with the opportunity, he has been open about his disappointment that his first title shot isn’t coming against the current champion, who has largely dominated the division since moving up from middleweight.
Pereira has hinted that he might stay at heavyweight for good, but Ulberg feels a convincing win in Miami could be enough to bring him back down.
“I think it could (bring him back),” Ulberg said at media day regarding a strong performance in the UFC 327 main event.
“I think a win here, a dominant win here could definitely lure Pereira back to the division and test himself, as well.
“He’s the man at the moment, and to be the man you’ve got to beat the man. If you want to be the best, you’ve got to beat him,” he added.
Pereira said one of his reasons for changing weight classes again was how difficult cutting down was becoming. The move also gives him a chance to make history as he looks to become UFC’s first-ever three-division champion — something no one has even tried before.
If Pereira does claim interim gold on June 14th, it would set up a unification bout against Tom Aspinall when the Englishman returns from injury. It remains unclear if ‘Poatan’ would then consider dropping back down after that fight or stick with life in heavyweight.
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