UFC 327: Carlos Ulberg's Crazy Upset in Miami

by Javier Albite

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UFC 327: Procházka vs. Ulberg was this last Saturday at the Kaseya Center. In addition to the nearly 18,000 people in attendance, President Donald Trump with his family and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, were among the celebrities in Miami this past weekend to watch the fights. But, besides all the press the event has gotten, the fights themselves have led to fans considering 327 as an early contender for event of the year.

Main Card Results

• Cub Swanson (-122 favorite) def. Nate Landwehr (+102 underdog) by Round 1 TKO (featherweight bout)

UFC Hall of Famer Swanson finished off his MMA career in entertaining fashion, delivering a swift knockout to Landwehr to end his 22 years in fighting.

• Dominick Reyes (-162 favorite) def. Johnny Walker (+136 underdog) by split decision (light heavyweight bout)

Former title contender Reyes narrowly beat Walker in a very slow and boring match, where both fighters seemed too scared to get close and land anything big.

• Josh Hokit (-120 favorite) def. Curtis Blaydes (+100 underdog) by unanimous decision (heavyweight bout)

In a crazy surprise, newcomer Hokit and former title contender Blaydes brawled out in one of the greatest heavyweight fights in recent history, winning Fight Of The Night.

• Paulo Costa (+200 underdog) def. Azamat Murzakanov (-245 favorite) by Round 3 KO (light heavyweight bout)

In a last-minute addition to the card, replacing the Van vs. Taira fight, former Middleweight title contender Costa delivered an upset, knocking out the formerly undefeated Murzakanov.

• Carlos Ulberg (-110 even) def. Jiri Procházka (-110 even) by Round 1 KO (light heavyweight title fight)

After getting his legs blown out by low kicks the whole round, even getting an ACL tear, Ulberg slept former champion Procházka right as he was about to get finished. Debates are ongoing over whether the result should be overturned, with close examination suggesting Ulberg was illegally holding onto the cage to support himself as he knocked out Procházka.

What's Next?

Now that the winners are in and their rankings updated, what could be some possible matchups for them in the future?

• Dominick Reyes: Won, but in a very unimpressive way, and didn't really prove if he's still the same fighter he was 6 years ago. Possibly could go up against Azamat now that he's no longer undefeated.

  
  

• Hokit: Already booked against Derrick Lewis for UFC Freedom 250. Very risky move taking as much damage as he did and accepting a fight with a 2-month turnaround, but if he wins, there's some serious discussions to be had about his place in the Heavyweight division.

  
  

• Costa: Completely unexpected result, but his win here was pretty impressive, putting on one of his best performances in years. Could possibly match up against Jamahal Hill or Khalil Rountree Jr. next.

  
  

• Ulberg: With the reports of his torn ACL, Ulberg is going to be out for at least a year. This could mean a possible interim title fight will be held to not hold up the division. If that were to happen, I think Jiri Procházka vs. Magomed Ankalaev would be the most likely outcome.