Carlos Ulberg will be facing former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill in the co-main event of UFC 303, replacing Khalil Rountree.
The fighter says that he accepted the short notice fight because he didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to face the former light heavyweight title holder.
“We’re going up against Hill. I think he’s No. 3 at the moment, so that’s some really good news that puts us in a really good spot – and I’m not going to pass that opportunity,” Ulberg said in an interview with ENGAGE (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie).
Ulberg will enter the contest riding a six fight winning streak, with those wins coming against Fabio Cherant, Tafon Nchukwi, Nicolae Nergumereanu, Ihor Potiera, Da Woon Jung and Alonzo Menifield.
Another reason Ulberg accepted the short notice fight against Hill was to compete on the same card as Conor McGregor.
“McGregor is obviously the biggest star to rise out of the UFC, and even sporting alone,” Ulberg said. “Everybody that you talk to, they all know McGregor – even if they’re not MMA fans. I spoke to someone today, and they didn’t know about MMA, but they knew who McGregor was – which was amazing.
“He is definitely a big star, and to fight under that undercard would be amazing. If we can get the co-main event, then that’d be even more spectacular. He goes in with confidence, and that’s something that I like to lead into my fights. When I jump in that cage, it’s just me, my opponent and the preparation that I’ve had prior.”