Injured Ulberg knocks Prochazka out in first round to claim UFC light heavyweight title

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/prochazka-jiri/UeJDsx4q/"]Prochazka[/a] started [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/mma/prochazka-j-UeJDsx4q/ulberg-c-UZM7EOUT/?mid=UkfYIGwg"]his fourth career title fight[/a] well. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ulberg-carlos/UZM7EOUT/"]Ulberg[/a] was struggling with his left leg and couldn’t put weight on it, but then the Czech took a heavy shot, went down, and the referee stopped the bout after more strikes from the Kiwi.[/p][p][b]"This is one of the biggest lessons of my life. I had it in my hands. But I let him. I saw his injury and then... Damn,"[/b] Prochazka said immediately after the defeat.[/p][embed guid="93b874d7-4a56-49bc-9b18-8857969e5c45" url="https://x.com/ufc/status/2043178256799801560?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]He later admitted he lost focus and felt sorry for his opponent. [b]"That’s exactly what happened,"[/b] said the disappointed Czech, who suffered his sixth career MMA loss.[/p][p][b]"But I’ll be back. Life is about learning, I’ll come back stronger, I’m sorry for today and thank you all for your support,"[/b] Prochazka added.[/p][p]Thirty-five-year-old Ulberg celebrated his 10th consecutive UFC win, despite a knee injury.[/p][p][b]"I knew I only needed one shot and I got it. I saw Jiri hesitate about whether to come closer. It’s all about finding the right moment, and I found the one for a deadly punch,"[/b] said a delighted Ulberg, who will likely need knee surgery now.[/p][p][b]"He said he could hurt me. But you can’t hurt what you can’t kill. We are champions,"[/b] rejoiced the new light heavyweight king.[/p][embed guid="a6d4c1c2-d7a5-4d2a-88e8-d2e79f741cf6" url="https://x.com/UFConParamount/status/2043178963925713091?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]Prochazka won the UFC championship belt in 2022 when he defeated [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/teixeira-glover/bRX8NhmU/"]Glover Teixeira[/a] from Brazil. He then lost two title fights to Teixeira’s compatriot [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pereira-alex/MgQbhItN/"]Alex Pereira[/a].[/p][p]In Miami at UFC 327, which was attended by US President Donald Trump, Prochazka and Ulberg fought for the belt vacated by Pereira.[/p]