Carlos Ulberg wants top opponent after quick finish at UFC St. Louis, eyes Jamahal Hill at UFC 303
Carlos Ulberg wants to bring “Ladies’ Night” to the City of Love.
Ulberg picked up his sixth UFC win in a row at UFC St. Louis when he knocked out Alonzo Menifield in just 12 seconds. Speaking afterward on The MMA Hour, Ulberg said he and his team knew that a quick finish was possible heading into the fight.
“We knew that he could possible rush in, and he did that,” Ulberg said. “He did exactly that. We anticipated that. We were prepared for anything going into the fight, obviously. He’s a big puncher, he’s got his name, he’s been knocking everybody out in the division. Anything could have been taken from that fight, or in the lead-up to the fight, so we were prepared for anything.”
Ulberg’s quick win not only netted him an extra $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, but it also vaulted the Kiwi fighter to a spot in the UFC’s light heavyweight top 15, at number 11. And now that the 33-year-old is a legitimate contender, Ulberg has grand hopes for his next outing.
“I think definitely someone in the top 10, for sure,” Ulberg said. “Could be top five, who knows? It is the light heavyweight division and the UFC know what they’re doing. I trust that anything can happen from now until the end of the year. You do have Jamahal [Hill] and [Khalil] Rountree ... in Vegas [at UFC 303]. Who knows what’s going to happen there? If maybe they need to fill, someone pulls from that, who knows? But we’ll see.”
As it turns out, they may.
Hill, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, was set to face Rountree on June 29 during International Fight Week, however Rountree withdrew from the contest on Saturday due to a doping violation, leaving Hill without an opponent.
Ulberg said on Wednesday that he specifically targeted the matchup as it was one of the few fights currently booked between top light heavyweight contenders, and noted that he wants an opportunity to advance. And if that doesn’t come from stepping in on short notice, then Ulberg instead hopes he can get on the UFC Paris card this fall.
“There’s also France coming up, which I’d love to do as well,” Ulberg said. “That side of the world would be nice. I’ve never been to Europe so something in France would be nice.
“Perth would be alright. It would be good. Who knows? ... I just haven’t been to Europe. And it could make some sense. It could lead us to fight somebody on that side of the world. But if people scream out for Perth, then let it be. That’s all good.”
UFC Paris takes place Sept. 28 at Accor Arena and will mark the UFC’s third trip to Paris.