Carlos Ulberg just scored the biggest win of his career on Sunday afternoon in Australia, and he’s already angling to get in an even bigger fight.
Ulberg made good use of his UFC Perth main event spot to show off his continued improvement, flattening a resurgent Dominick Reyes just four and a half minutes into their fight (highlights here). Now he’s headed to Las Vegas to sit cageside for UFC 320, where light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev rematches former champion Alex Pereira.
And if one of
those two fighters has to pull out for whatever reason? Ulberg will be ready to step in.
“I told [Hunter Campbell] I am prepared to be a backup for next week,” the New Zealand fighter said at the post-fight press conference. “Fly me to Vegas and I’ll be there. I am not going to eat or drink anything today. Go spend some time with the family and if need be, I’ll be there to backup anyone for that title shot.”
There was no commitment given to that offer, other than a seat on Campbell’s private jet back to Las Vegas.
“I’m just putting it in the air,” Ulberg said. “But I’m definitely flying out there. Hunter said, ‘Yep, you’re going to jump on the private jet,’ and we’re going to be there. At least we’re going to be there, and I said if need be, I’ll keep my weight to a minimum and I’ll be there. It’s those opportunities.”
As it stands there seems like little chance a backup would be needed for UFC 320. Both Pereira and Ankalaev have been in Las Vegas for a week already, and both have talked about how they are healthy and ready to scrap.
But with No. 2 ranked Jiri Prochazka fighting Khalil Rountree on the undercard, showing up and being visible in Las Vegas is a good way for Ulberg to make sure the world doesn’t forget about his impressive performance down under.
