UFC 327 recap - Carlos Ulberg knocks out Jiri Prochazka to win light heavyweight title vacated by Alex Pereira

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UFC 327 recap from a bumper night of action at the Kaseya Center in Miami where Carlos Ulberg produced a sensational knockout to beat Jiri Prochazka and win the vacant light heavyweight title on offer. Elsewhere on the main card, Josh Hokit edged Curtis Blaydes in a fight of the year contender. Watch the sensational main event again on HBO Max.

'Bring it, let's go' - Ulberg embracing pressure ahead of Prochazka fight

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ulberg produces miracle KO to take 205lbs crown

Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg met for the vacant light heavyweight title, with the latter winning via a sensational first-round knockout at the Kaseya Center in Miami in the UFC 327 main event - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Alex Pereira vacated the title two months ago ahead of his fight for the interim heavyweight tilt against Ciryl Gane at UFC White House event on June 14 and former opponent Prochazka seemed to be headed for a second reign as champion in the early stages of this fight.

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Ulberg's right leg buckled in the first minute and replays showed his knee popped. From this point onwards, every time Prochazka landed a calf kick to the New Zealander's left, he would struggle to stay on his feet.

The Czech star walked him down expecting a prompt ending to the contest which did eventuate but not in the way he expected. Ulberg landed a perfect counter left hook which landed on Prochazka's chin and put him to the floor, with the referee soon jumping in to end the contest.

The co-main event saw a fine performance from Brazilian Paulo Costa, moving up to the light-heavyweight division, as he knocked out Azamat Murzakanov with a kick to succumb the Russian to the first defeat of his MMA career.

On a dramatic main card, the highlight was the brawl between Josh Hokit and Curtis Blaydes, which the former won in a sure fight of the year contender.

HBO Max is the streaming home of TNT Sports - watch the action from the night below.

Prochazka: I learned a lesson

The former champion could not believe he lost a fight that seemed shortly to be stopped in his favour.

"One of the biggest lessons of my life," Prochazka said on TNT Sports.

"I can't understand. That fight was won. It was in my hands. I let him [land the knockout] because I saw his injury."

We have a new champion!

Ulberg wins by sensational knockout!

The New Zealander's knee buckled and he seemed certain for defeat. After his leg popped when moving backwards, he was a sitting duck for Prochazka's leg kicks and every time the Czech star landed a calf kick to his left, the right would buckle. But as the former champion looked to corner him. He responded with a picture perfect check left hook which puts Prochazka down and after a few shots on the ground the referee dives in.

We are underway

Can Ulberg show he belongs at this level?

Jiri has the fans onside

New Zealander Carlos Ulberg comes to the Octagon with calming music, but accompanied by flashing red lights and Kevin Rudolf's In the City, former champion Jiri Prochazka gets the crowd on their feet.

The main event is next...

And we will soon have a new light-heavyweight champion.

'I will find a way to end him' - Prochazka bullish ahead UFC 327 clash with Ulberg

Video credit: TNT Sports

Costa KOs Murzakanov in Round 3

Costa immediately takes control landing big right hands to the head and body as well as a head kick in the opening thirty seconds or so. After it looked like Muzakanov had weathered the storm, Costa throws a flurry to force him backwards and then a perfect head kick that ends the show. The Russian wobbles before falling over backwards and the referee waves the fight off. What an end to the fight and Murzakanov's unbeaten round. And a great start to Costa's quest to challenge for the light-heavyweight title.

Murzakanov-Costa: Round 2

Costa again scores early with leg kicks but the Russian lands a couple of good shots with the Brazilian's back to the Octagon which turn the contest. From this point onwards, Costa downs not move as well and Murzakanov cannot miss with his shots. Costa's mouth is open and he eats hooks from both hands. Costa lands his own good shot but is then taken to the ground but he avoids a submission attempt and lands a knee in close. We are level going into the final round you would think.

Murzakanov-Costa: Round 1

The Russian walks down Costa but is caught by leg kicks and one to the stomach which prevent him landing his own blows. The contest is delayed by a poke to the eye of Murzakanov. Afterwards a right hand briefly forces the Russian backwards and a leg kick sees him wobble. A left jab puts Muzakanov down and cuts him over the eye. A big round for the Brazilian.

The co-main event is next...

The first of two elite light-heavyweight contests as Brazilian Paulo Costa takes on unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov of Russia.

Hokit wants Poatan!

He certainly lacks confidence nor ambition.

Hokit wins unanimous decision!

He takes the fight 29-28 on all three scorecards.

Blaydes-Hokit: Round 3

The pair start off brawling with both landing good shots. Blaydes got the better of these exchanges with his straight shots more effective. Both felt the ludicrous pace of the first two rounds meaning there was a few more breaks between action. Both land good elbows in the middle of the round. Blaydes will wish he could have landed as many straight strikes in the first two rounds, nullifying Hokit's winging efforts somewhat. Hokit's indomitable will again sees him forcing the fight in the last ten seconds as they both go out on their shield.

Blaydes-Hokit: Round 2

Hokit again starts the better landing clean shots and taking down Blaydes whose face is bloodied after taking more repeated blows. Blaydes gets back into the fight as the round goes on with punishing body shots and uppercuts. Hokit takes the momentum back and has Blaydes wobbling after a series of uppercuts and right hands. Blaydes again has his moments but a couple of nice knees from Hokit stifle his momentum. Both land big shots at the end of the round. What a fight!

Blaydes-Hokit: Round 1

Hokit gives Blaydes the finger and then lands a huge flurry that sees Blaydes wobbling around the Octagon. It looks like Blaydes was on the brink of being stopped but he takes Hokit's back and drives him to the mat. In the last minute both land huge shots with Blaydes looking like he may win a stoppage. As Both fighters tie up they are given a huge ovation.

The big guys are up next...

Curtis Blaydes takes on Josh Hokit.

Reyes wins a split decision

One judges saw Walker edging the fight, but the other two saw Reyes winning the contest.

Reyes-Walker: Round 3

Reyes edges the last round and it goes to the scorecards. It could depend on how you score the first round.

Reyes-Walker: Round 2

It can happen with orthodox vs southpaw where both are tentative in the battle for initiative on their respective front foot. Reyes lands a left hand and a good front kick to Walker's chest. The crowd boo at the end of the round fed up of the two mainly circling each other.

Reyes-Walker: Round 1

Walker controlling things early with his inside calf kicks. The crowd boo as they are not getting the slugfest they expected but Reyes finally lands a couple of good lefts from his southpaw stance in the last minute. It is Walker's round and you would expect Reyes to up his game in the next stanza.

Reyes-Walker up next

This light-heavyweight contest between Dominic Reyes (15-5) and Brazil's Johnny Walker (22-9) could be a show stealer.

Swanson KOs Landwehr in Round 1

What a final bow from Swanson. He lands with a huge leftt to put his opponent down, then another one-two sees Landwehr fly across the ring with Cub in purist. The fight went on before another big right hand saw Landwehr drop to the mat. Swanson looked down on him with his arms raised and the referee dived into stop the bout. He then leaves the gloves that did the damage in the middle of the ring.

A last hurrah for Cub!

Cub Swanson takes on Nate Landwehr in a battle of two featherweight veterans with a combined age of almost 80.

The Main card is next...

Jiri Prochazka v Carlos Ulberg
Curtis Blaydes v Josh Hokit
Azamat Murzakanov v Paulo Costa
Dominick Reyes v Johnny Walker
Cub Swanson v Nate Landwehr

Pico wins on points!

He takes the fight 30-27 (twice) and 29-28.

Pitbull-Pico: Round 3

After a big uppercut from Pico it was a slower round but still a dominant one for the younger fighter, taking his opponent down multiple times and controlling him with holds. The fans want more striking but even in the last ten seconds Pico doesn't oblige happy to dance his way to victory.

Pitbull-Pico: Round 2

Pico comes out with a purpose and lands a good right hand early and takes his opponent down. Showing more patience boxing behind his jab, one blow sees Pitbull fall back to the canvas. A dominant round was emphasised with a late take down followed by some big blows which left Pitbull with a lot of blood around his left eye. The fight is level but all the momentum is with Pico.

Pitbull-Pico: Round 1

Both fighters put a lot into the opener and take heavy breaths as they go back to their corners. Pico continually looked for the big shots but was mostly beaten to the punch by Pitbull. Pico did record a takedown but is probably a round down.

The feature prelim contest next

It sees 13th-ranked Patricio Pitbull take on Aaron Pico in a featherweight contest.

Holland wins on points

Holland takes the fight on all three scorecards, 30-27.

Holland-Brown: Round 3

A slower round as both fighters feel the pace. Brown has a good moment midway through the round throwing his opponent against the Octagon and following up with a right hand, after which Holland holds on and wills the clock to run faster. The rest of the fight sees the pair grappling against the Octagon, with neither grabbing control.

Holland-Brown: Round 2

Another competitive start to the round with Holland's cheek showing a big cut. After Brown charges at him, Holland locks in a front face lock and takes his opponent to the ground. It looked like the end was near, but Brown rode out the storm, though had to take a spinning elbow on returning to his feet. Holland then looks to lock in a guillotine but Brown escapes again. Both men look tired after this action-packed two rounds.

Holland-Brown: Round 1

An early battle between Brown's punches, including a right to the body and left hook upstairs, contrasted by Holland's kicks. Holland takes Brown down a couple of times, the second with a brutal slam, but immediately the Jamaican lands and uptick which rocks the Americans head back. The crowd are loving this.

Holland-Brown next

Popular Kevin Holland takes on Jamaican Randy 'Rude Boy' Brown.

Gamrot submits Ribovics in Round 2

Again Gamrot dominates from the start of the round. He sees Ribovics over-commit with attempted strikes and goes low to bring his opponent to the ground. He locked in an arm triangle on the mat which sees Ribovics tap.

Gamrot-Ribovics: Round 1

Gamrot takes Ribovics down to the mat, the 13th opponent he has done this to in the UFC. Although Ribovics gets back to his feet, Gamrot takes him back down and gets the Argentine's back dominating the rest of the round on the floor.

Lightweights up next...

Argentina's Esteban Riibovics (15-2) has a test against the 8th-ranked Polish veteran Mateusz Gamrot (25-4-1).

Suarez submits Godinez tap in Round 2

Early on Suarez took Godinez down and got her back and locks in a rear-naked choke which, eventually, sees the Mexican tap. Suarez lost to Zhang Weill in a title shot last year but will surely get a chance against current champ Mackenzie Dern in the next 12 months.

Suarez-Godinez: Round 1

Godinez brought her opponent to the deck initially taking Suarez's back, but after getting to their feet the American turned the tables to take control as they kept wrestling on the floor until near the buzzer.

Women's strawweight action first

Two top six contenders meet with Loopy Godinez of Mexico taking on American Tatiana Suarez.

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