NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Ulberg fought through an injured right knee to capture the light heavyweight title in UCF 327.
He says he lost it hours later, literally.
The 35-year-old from New Zealand defeated Jiri Prochazka in the main event at UFC 327 by knockout this weekend in Miami to become the new champion of the light heavyweight division. He told Fox Sports Australia on Monday that he misplaced his golden title belt while celebrating his victory.
“I’ve lost the belt, bro,” Ulberg told Fox Sports. “Initially after winning, the plan was to not have a drink. But you know how these things go, right? First, someone gives you a champagne to celebrate. Then one thing leads to another and you’re doing shots.”
His knee injury could to keep him sidelined for a year, meaning he will have to give up his champion status anyway, with UCF holding an interim title fight to take his place.
But Ulberg said he's fairly confident his belt will be found before he heads to Las Vegas to get further evaluation from doctors there on his knee. He then plans to spent time at the UFC Performance Institute before returning to New Zealand to be with family.
“I didn’t want to be carrying the belt around so I think it’s still there at the apartment somewhere. One of the boys probably has it in bed with him," Ulberg said.
AP MMA: https://apnews.com/hub/mixed-martial-arts
Carlos Ulberg, of New Zealand, prepares for the start of his light heavyweight title bout against Jiri Prochazka, of Czechia, at a UFC 327 mixed martial arts event, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Carlos Ulberg, of New Zealand, reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka, of Czechia, by TKO to win their light heavyweight title bout at a UFC 327 mixed martial arts event, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Carlos Ulberg, center, of New Zealand, reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka, of Czechia, by TKO to win their light heavyweight title bout at a UFC 327 mixed martial arts event, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
NEW YORK (AP) — José Caballero laced a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the New York Yankees a 5-4 victory over the Angels, moments after Los Angeles botched an infield popup in a costly misplay Wednesday night.
Aaron Judge hit his third homer of the series and Trent Grisham had a two-run single for the Yankees, who won for only the second time in eight games following an 8-2 start.
Mike Trout hit his fourth homer in three games, putting the Angels ahead 4-3 with a two-run drive in the fifth.
That was still the score when Jazz Chisholm Jr. popped up to the left side with one out and nobody on in the ninth. But shortstop Zach Neto and ex-Yankees third baseman Oswald Peraza miscommunicated, and the ball dropped right between them on the infield dirt for a gift single as Neto put his hands on his head.
That came back to bite the Angels, who had played outstanding defense all night to that point.
Austin Wells worked a full-count walk against closer Jordan Romano (0-2), and both runners were attempting to steal when Caballero lined a 1-2 slider into left-center.
Chisholm easily scored the tying run and third-base coach Luis Rojas aggressively waved Wells home. The catcher barely beat Neto's relay throw to the plate with a feetfirst slide, and the safe call was confirmed after a replay review.
It was the second blown save and loss in the series for Romano, who squandered a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Monday night's 11-10 defeat.
David Bednar (1-2) struck out two in a perfect inning for the win, helped by a fine defensive play at shortstop from Caballero.
Adam Frazier and Logan O'Hoppe each hit a solo homer off Yankees starter Luis Gil to help the Angels erase an early 3-0 deficit. It was the first home run at Yankee Stadium for O'Hoppe, who grew up about 45 miles away on Long Island.
Judge sent an opposite-field solo shot to right in the first for his seventh home run this season and fourth in four games.
Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and four walks with six strikeouts.
After the game, manager Aaron Boone said Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, coming back from Tommy John surgery, will make his first minor league rehab start Friday for Double-A Somerset.
Yankees ace Max Fried (2-0, 1.93 ERA) pitches Thursday afternoon in the finale of the four-game series. Los Angeles was undecided on a scheduled starter.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, right, celebrates with José Caballero after Caballero had a walk-off two run hit during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees' Austin Wells, left, celebrates with Jazz Chisholm Jr. after they scored on a walk-off two run hit during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Angels' Zach Neto, left, and Oswald Peraza, right, react after a ball dropped between them allowing a single for New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
New York Yankees' Austin Wells slides past Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe to score on a double by José Caballero during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
