Jiri Prochazka reveals family pact behind UFC 327 return against Carlos Ulberg for vacant title

Jiri Prochazka will fight Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 327, a decision influenced by the upcoming birth of his first child.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 7:21 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from UFC Home

A High-Stakes Return in Miami

Jiri Prochazka is set to headline UFC 327 at the Kaseya Center in Miami next month, taking on rising contender Carlos Ulberg. The bout will crown a new light heavyweight champion after Alex Pereira vacated the title to pursue a move to the heavyweight division. While Prochazka expressed a desire for a trilogy bout with Pereira, he remains focused on reclaiming the gold and believes a future encounter with the Brazilian "powerhouse" is inevitable.

The Negotiated Comeback

The timing of UFC 327 presents a unique personal challenge for the Czech star. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Prochazka disclosed that his girlfriend is due to give birth to their first child between April 13th and 15th—only days after the scheduled event. Consequently, a family agreement was reached: Prochazka would only accept a fight so close to the due date if it was a significant "big fight" opportunity, specifically a title shot.

The Ultimatum and UFC Negotiations

Prochazka detailed the conversation that led to the April booking, noting that his partner encouraged him to wait for a title opportunity rather than taking a "normal" fight during such a critical family milestone. "My girlfriend told me... it has to be a big fight. Don’t fight some similar fight because you can fight all year in these other normal fights," Prochazka explained. Following these internal discussions, Prochazka’s team successfully negotiated with the UFC to ensure the light heavyweight strap would be on the line.