Carlos Ulberg vs Volkan Oezdemir: A Crucial Step Towards Title Contention in 2025

New Zealand star Carlos Ulberg can put the light heavyweight division on red alert with a win over Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night in Macau on November 23.

Ulberg has fought his way into the top ten of the light heavyweight division and will be hunting for bigger challenges as he eyes a title shot in 2025.

His Swedish opponent was recently ranked as high as sixth but has since dropped to eight, with Khalil Rountree Jr moving up the standings following his recent title fight against champion Alex Pereira.

A win over Oezdemir will potentially earn Ulberg a championship fight with Pereira in 2025, and he will be desperate to prove he deserves the opportunity. 

His latest fight was a statement of intent as he knocked out Alonzo Manfield after just 12 seconds, marking himself as a fighter to watch out for.

Ulberg is a refined kickboxer. He knows how to use his 77-inch reach to keep his range, and his composure is an extremely useful asset.

Oezdemir brings a wealth of experience to the table. The 35-year-old boasts a respectable professional record of 20 wins and seven losses, including an 8-6 record in the UFC. 

He challenged for the title in 2018 and remains a formidable figure in the division. Despite Oezdemir’s threat, the Kiwi fighter is the bookmakers’ favourite to come out on top. 

The top betting sites NZ will be inundated with wagers on Ulberg, with Kiwi punters renowned for wagering on athletes and teams from their homeland.

A win over Oezdemir could catapult the New Zealander into the conversation for a title shot, especially with the UFC hesitant about granting Magomed Ankalaev the chance to face Pereira.

UFC boss Dana White has been unhappy with the Dagestani fighter since his drab fight with Jan Blachowicz. Ulberg could get the opportunity against the feared champion.

The Kiwi fighter is interested in facing Pereira, who has been on an imperious run since joining the UFC. They both come from kickboxing backgrounds and it looks like an exciting match-up.

“I’m coming up, and soon I’ll get my chance,” Ulberg said. “Once I get through Oezdemir, which is going to be a hard task for sure, it’s free rein from there.”

Ulberg does not lack confidence, but the Brazilian is vicious. He is as elite as they come in the striking world. Pereira is another level to every previous challenge the 33-year-old has faced. 

However, if Ulberg succeeds against Oezdemir, he is one of the more interesting picks for a match-up against Pereira. 

While Pereira has frustrated opponents with his length, he will not have that same advantage against Ulberg, whose height and reach allow him to fight on the outside.

Pereira has his famous devastating left hook, but if Ulberg takes his typical orthodox stance, he can avoid getting hit by that big shot. 

Pereira also has a variety of weapons in his arsenal including his disguised low and high kicks. His punches to the mid-section can also be destructive.

Ulberg has studied Pereira’s fights closely and hailed the champion’s high fight IQ and tactical ability. If he goes up against the Brazilian, he will need to deliver a career-defining performance.

His first task is to put away Oezdemir. Another first-round finish will get everyone talking, and with White angling for more strikers as champions, Ulberg could face Pereira for the title on a main event card in 2025.

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