Carlos Ulberg has a preferred target in his sights ahead of his return this weekend.
At UFC Perth on Saturday night, Ulberg faces Dominick Reyes in the main event as he looks to take one step closer to a title shot.
The clash of contenders at the RAC Arena isn’t the only big matchup in the light heavyweight division that fans are going to see in the near future.
Alex Pereira’s rivalry with Magomed Ankalaev has already started to escalate ahead of their rematch at UFC 320 on October 4.
With multiple contenders all chasing after the Russian’s title, the fighter on the biggest win streak recently named who he hopes is standing across from him when he challenges for the belt.
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Carlos Ulberg wants to challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the belt over Alex Pereira
While his opponent, Dominick Reyes, has a rematch in mind for when he fights for the belt, Carlos Ulberg is still yet to face many of the top names in the division.
There’s no guarantee that he will be the next title contender if he wins on Saturday night due to the UFC 320 matchup between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr., but he’ll certainly be in the conversation.
In a recent fight week interview with Submission Radio, Ulberg shared his thoughts on the title fight rematch that will headline UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
He also named who he hopes comes out on top in that matchup so that he can face them for the belt.
While some may assume that due to their kickboxing styles and the history between ‘Poatan’ and the City Kickboxing gym that Alex Pereira would be his preferred choice, this isn’t the case.
“I’ve always seen [Magomed] Ankalaev as a big threat. So is ‘Poatan’. He’s got the power, he’s got the goods. But yeah, I’m sitting on the fence. I’d like Ankalaev to get that win because I know what I can do with him.”
Ulberg did add that he would still be very excited to face Pereira instead, though he isn’t sure how long the former champion will be around for.
“That would be massive and that’s always been a fight that I’d love to do cuz he’s tough, but I mean, from what I’ve heard, I’m not too sure how… I mean, he’s paid his dues and he’s done a great job in the UFC and I just feel like Ankalaev could be in the game a little longer.”
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Carlos Ulberg’s winning streak may end up speaking for itself after UFC Perth
If he gets his hand raised on Saturday night in Perth, Carlos Ulberg will have put together one of the best win streaks in the history of the light heavyweight division at nine consecutive victories.
However, this hasn’t earned him a title shot yet because some of his biggest wins have lacked a moment that gets fans demanding that he’s next.
Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr. on the other hand are two fighters that always produce exciting fights and highlights, which gives them a strong chance of earning the next shot.
Ulberg needs to either make a statement this weekend or, as he told Submission Radio, hope that his winning streak does all of the talking by itself.
“Nine is a good number. I’ve got nine lives, I’m the ‘Black Jag’.”