Anthony Smith: UFC won't rush to strip Carlos Ulberg or create interim
UFC analyst Anthony Smith doesn't see an interim or vacant title coming into play despite Carlos Ulberg's ACL tear.
Anthony Smith thinks Carlos Ulberg's status as undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion is safe – for now. Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) experienced thrill and agony at UFC 327 when he knocked out Jiri Prochazka in spectacular fashion to claim the vacant 205-pound belt, only to sustain a torn ACL in the process. He's already undergone knee surgery in Las Vegas to repair the damage and expects to be back "in good time.
" Given the typical ACL surgery recovery window of nine to 12-months, it would be consistent with recent history in the division for Ulberg to give up the belt. Former champs Prochazka and Jamahal Hill did as much when they sustained serious injuries shortly after claiming gold, but this circumstance could be different. Smith, who once fought Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title and is now an analyst for the company, agrees two factors play into Ulberg's favor: The division currently has no standout contenders, and the UFC doesn't have a major gap in the schedule where a makeshift title fight is required.
"My guess is going to be they don't create an interim because there's not really a clear picture of who you would put in it," Smith told MMA Junkie. "I think they probably let those guys fight it out and figure out who the clear top-two guys are, then if he still needs more time, they'll create an interim. I don't think they'll do it right away.
"I don't think they're in a rush with light heavyweight. I bet they let them fight it out a little bit and maybe run three or four fights and see what happens, and then if he still needs more time and it's still another six months or seven months, then maybe we have to create one. But I don't think they're going to rush into creating an interim title.