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UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg has provided an update on his return from a nasty knee injury.

While Carlos Ulberg may have defeated Jiri Prochazka to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion, he also sustained a nasty knee injury that has kept him out of action ever since, leaving the division in limbo.

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Ulberg, who was somehow able to fight through the adversity of such a serious injury and still win the belt, has a handful of potential challengers waiting for him as things slowly start to heat up at 205 pounds.

In a recent interview, Ulberg updated fans on when they may see him once again make the walk to the cage.

Ulberg discusses his return from injury

“It sucks to be on the sidelines watching the guys,” Ulberg told reporters during a news conference in Shanghai, China, ahead of UFC Fight Night 286. “I’m still in the gym watching the guys and also doing my rehab. I’d much prefer to be in the gym, having a push and pull with the boys – but I’m a working man, and I’m doing everything to make sure that as the champion, I get myself back on the mats. I’m ready to get myself healthy again so that I can come and defend my title early next year.”

“If I come back too early, or even now, right now, it’s just guarding the ACL, guarding my knee, so that when I come back, everything is in good order. I know myself that when I come back, I’m going to be stronger mentally and physically for sure. So, the focus is me getting back in the octagon, healthy, better, and then also being the champion that I am, traveling, doing this stuff as a champion, showing why I’m a good champion for the people. So, doing that as a working man, but then as well as that is upgrading the software.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

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