Rumor: Alex Pereira Set to Face Carlos Ulberg for Light Heavyweight Title on January 24
According to sources with knowledge of ongoing negotiations, the UFC is likely to book a light heavyweight title bout between champion Alex Pereira and challenger Carlos Ulberg for January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The match would headline UFC 324, marking the promotion’s inaugural broadcast on Paramount+.
Alex Pereira vs. Carlos Ulberg – January 24
Pereira reclaimed the light heavyweight championship on October 4, 2025, at UFC 320, defeating Magomed Ankalaev via first-round technical knockout in one minute and 20 seconds at the same venue. The 38-year-old Brazilian landed 28 significant strikes from 45 attempts and maintained control of the bout following an initial strike that sent Ankalaev to the canvas.
Ulberg has established himself as the division’s top contender through an eight-fight winning streak. Most recently, the New Zealand fighter defeated former title challenger Dominick Reyes via first-round technical knockout on September 27, 2025, at UFC Perth. Ulberg’s record now stands at 14 wins and one loss, with nine knockout victories. The 34-year-old trains at City Kickboxing under Eugene Bareman alongside UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.
Following Pereira’s October victory, Ulberg and various media outlets identified him as the logical next challenger. In October 2025, Ulberg publicly stated his preference to challenge Pereira directly for the title rather than contend for a vacant championship, expressing confidence in his preparation to face the reigning champion. Pereira, meanwhile, has made occasional references to pursuing a heavyweight title opportunity against Tom Aspinall or Ciryl Gane but has not officially vacated the light heavyweight title.
UFC 324 carries additional significance as the first event under the promotion’s $7.7 billion, seven-year media rights agreement with Paramount+ and Skydance Media, marking a major shift in the UFC’s broadcast strategy. The event has been officially scheduled for January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena, with preliminary confirmed bouts including Nikita Krylov versus Modestas Bukauskas.
The booking remains pending official announcement from the UFC. Formal confirmation of the Pereira-Ulberg title fight, fighter contracts, and additional card details are expected to be released through standard league channels in coming weeks. Neither fighter has made public statements confirming the January 24 date, though both have previously expressed mutual interest in the matchup.
This has been reported to LowKick MMA’s Tim Wheaton from Sports Business Insider, Blake Avignon.
