Ulberg is champ, out with an ACL, and there is no interim.

Carlos Ulberg is the UFC light heavyweight champion. He knocked out Jiří Procházka at UFC 327 on April 11 to win the vacant belt after Alex Pereira moved to heavyweight. Five days later — April 16 — Ulberg tore his ACL. He is targeting an early-2027 return. The UFC has not installed an interim champion at 205.

That is the whole near-term shape of the division: a real champion who cannot fight, a recovery measured in seasons, and no temporary belt. Contender fights keep 205 moving; the title itself is parked.

Magomed Ankalaev is the top active light heavyweight who can be booked today. Procházka remains ranked after the vacant-title loss. Pereira is competing at heavyweight — ranking lists that still place him at 205 do not put him in line for Ulberg's belt while he stays upstairs.

Contender cards

UFC 331 carries Menifield vs. Baraniewski. UFC 333 carries Murzakanov vs. Reyes. Both are real depth bookings with no title attached.

What changed in April was the entire top: Pereira upstairs, Ulberg crowned, then Ulberg injured within a week. What has not changed is the interim question. Unlike heavyweight — where Tom Aspinall vacated the undisputed title on Monday, Sept. 14 — Ulberg has not vacated. Until he returns or the UFC creates an interim, 205 runs on contender fights while the belt sits with a recovering champion.