UFC 303 got a major shakeup last night. Dana White took to social media and announced that Conor McGregor sustained an injury that was forcing him out of the main event against Michael Chandler. Jamahal Hill also injured his knee and was out of the co-main event against Carlos Ulberg (10-1).
With Jamahal Hill out, the UFC needed a replacement and they found one for Carlos Ulberg. Ulberg will now be taking on veteran and former title challenger, Anthony “Lionheart” Smith (38-19). This is a massive opportunity for both of these fighters to raise their position in the rankings.
Lionheart is 2-1 in his last three, but his last performance was very impressive. He took on unbeaten contender Vitor Petrino in Brazil. Smith blasted Petrino with leg kicks early which forced the Brazilian to shoot for a takedown. When he did, Smith locked in a guillotine and won the fight by submission. Now, he gets the opportunity to turn away another top contender on the massive UFC 303 card.
UFC 303
Carlos Ulberg has had a ton of shakeups in 2024. He was supposed to fight Dominick Reyes in January but that fight got pushed back to March. Then, Reyes had to pull out and Alonzo Menifield took his place. However, the fight got pushed back to UFC St. Louis about a month ago.
Ulberg knocked out Menifield in 11 seconds. Khalil Rountree was suspended and knocked out of the fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303. Ulberg got the call and took the fight against the former champion only for the former champion to get injured and now Ulberg is fighting Lionheart.
After losing his UFC debut, Ulberg has won six fights in a row and only one of them has gone the distance. He looks like a monster right now and if he runs through Lionheart, he’ll find himself closer to the title picture.