Din Thomas thinks Jiri Prochazka is better suited than Carlos Ulberg to take the UFC light heavyweight division into its next era.
After Alex Pereira gave up the strap to move up to heavyweight, Prochazka (32-5-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Ulberg (12-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) will clash for the vacant belt in the UFC 327 headliner on April 11 at Kaseya Center in Miami (Paramount+). It’s a solid matchup between two striking-first athletes, but whoever wins is going to have to deal with the hangover of Pereira’s exit from the weight class without being beaten by either man.
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UFC analyst and coach Thomas can feel that narrative, and thinks it’s part of the reason there isn’t more buzz about the title showdown.
“Carlos Ulberg has deserved this spot, but there’s something about the fight where it’s like, ‘It’s really only happening because Alex left the belt on the table,'” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “It’s still a great fight, there’s just something about it that makes it feel like a No. 1 contender fight. Still a great fight. Jiri is still the man. Carlos Ulberg deserves his shot.
“It’s not a matchup that was lingering around for a while, either. It’s a great fight, but it’s not like there’s history between the guys. If there was history I think it would sell it a little harder. It just seems like the next logical step for the division because Alex is moving up.”
Despite the fact Prochazka has two knockout losses to Pereira on his record, Thomas still sees him as the better fit to hold gold. Ulberg can certainly win, Thomas said, but if there’s someone who is going to carry fan intrigue into each of his future matchups, then Prochazka is who he thinks the promotion would prefer to come out on top.
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“I think Jiri Prochazka being champion is always going to be good for UFC,” Thomas said. “He’s one of those guys where you’re just going to love him no matter what. Not that you’re not going to love Carlos Ulberg, it’s just that he’s quietly made his way into this spot to fighting for this. He’s won a gang of fights in a row and looked great every time doing it. He’s very marketable, good looking guy, represents a part of the world that could use a champion. But there’s just part of it that’s missing something, and I’m not really sure what that is.
“I think Jiri being champion just feels right. He’s got that aura about him where it’s like, ‘We kinda like him as champion.’ I just feel that way about Jiri. He’s got that champion aura about him.”
To hear more from Thomas, check out his complete appearance on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Analyst: Jiri Prochazka UFC 327 title win would be ‘good for UFC’
