UFC Macau’s Carlos Ulberg hoping Rountree Effect can lead to unexpected title shot — ‘At any point we can be called up’

Alexander Behunin specializes in running MMAmania.com's various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.

Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) Light Heavyweight division is wide open (sort of).

New Zealand knockout artist Carlos Ulberg makes his second appearance of 2024 at UFC Macau this weekend (Sat., Nov. 23, 2024) against fellow KO machine Volkan Oezdemir from inside Galaxy Arena in Macau, SRA, China.

Ulberg believes his fight this weekend is a pivotal matchup because his division has seen questionable matchmaking this year.

“I know [a title shot] will happen in due time, my time will come,” Ulberg said during UFC Macau media day. “I know it’s not far. This fight right here is no different - he’s an experienced fighter. If I get a good win over Oezdemir, it catapults me high. In this division, at any point, we can be called up for the title. So, I [wouldn’t be] surprised either way, anything can happen, and I’m ready for anything to happen next year.”

Indeed, anyone can be called up for a title shot - just like Khalil Rountree did earlier this year for UFC 307. Rountree was ranked No. 8 in the Light Heavyweight rankings when he got the golden ticket phone call for a title shot. If Ulberg defeats “No Time” in China, he will be ranked ... you guessed it, No. 8.

“Black Jag” has received a lot of hype since being signed to UFC, and with his very close relationship with Israel Adesanya, it could be enough for Light Heavyweight champion Alex Pereira to want to have his name on his impressive resume.

Three wins over Asdesanya across combat sports, getting two division titles before him, and then beating one of his boys? It just smells like something Pereira would get up for.

However, before the Ulberg and Pereira clash, Magomed Ankalaev must get a shot at dethroning “Poatan.”

LIVE! Stream UFC Macau On ESPN+

WELTERWEIGHT WARTIME! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to its APEX venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sat., Nov. 9, 2024, with an important Welterweight main event between battle-tested veteran and No. 15-ranked contender Neil Magny as he takes on fast-rising “Contender Series” phenom Carlos Prates. In addition, former Bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt returns to face off against red-hot Miles Johns in UFC Vegas 100’s hard-hitting co-headliner.

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Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Macau fight card right here, starting with the ESPN+ “Prelims” matches online, which are scheduled to begin at 3 a.m. ET, before the main card start time at 6 a.m. ET (also on ESPN+).

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Macau: “Yan vs. Figgy” news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive right here.