For Carlos Ulberg, belief never wavered. Even after a potentially devastating mid-fight knee injury, the Kiwi always knew he'd walk out of UFC 327 as the new light heavyweight champion.

Yet Ulberg’s stunning knockout win over Jiri Prochazka didn’t just crown a new light heavyweight king; it also ignited a fire. In Ulberg’s eyes, a narrative now lives that never should’ve existed in the first place — the idea that Prochazka showed “mercy” in the fight’s most critical moment, as the former champ has repeatedly bemoaned in the days since UFC 327.

Speaking on Monday's edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show," Ulberg responded clearly to Prochazka's claims of showing mercy against his injured opponent.

“That’s bulls***, total bulls***. That’s fear. That wasn’t any kind of mercy. He knows. He's a fighter," Ulberg told Uncrowned. "That's the difference between a champion and someone's who's just playing for the crowd. There was no mercy in there. He was full of fear, hesitation, and that’s what got him clipped.

"He’s a pretender. He knows I know he’s a pretender. From the very first time we faced off, he knew that this is going to be a fight — this is a real one right in front of me. He could feel it. So he knew that I knew he's a pretender."

Rarely, if ever, has Prochazka's character been called into question. A notable fan-favorite and entertainer of the highest order, Prochazka has lived and died by the sword — both inside and outside of the Octagon — as someone who embodies the Bushido code, prioritizing honor.

Ulberg, however, isn't falling for what he believes is a facade. He said he's felt this way since Prochazka emerged as a notable light heavyweight force years ago. Eventually, Ulberg expected Prochakza would be exposed under the lights, however for a brief moment in their UFC 327 collision, Prochazka appeared destined to begin a second UFC title reign off his wounded prey.

Ulberg’s knee gave out early Saturday after a punch exchange in the pocket, compromising his base and mobility for the remainder of the bout. Yet the injury also laid the groundwork for Ulberg's shining moment, which the new champ believes revealed Prochazka's true colors.

"When he had that moment where my leg was compromised, he thought, 'Ah, this could be my opportunity.' But with the perseverance that I had and pushed through that and was able to adapt with, I wasn't going anywhere," Ulberg said.

"There was that very moment where we locked each other's eyes, and he knew, 'Damn, this is going to be a fight. He's not going anywhere.' And I've still got my hands. That's the danger that I have. One shot can kill 'em."

That belief in his power and composure carried Ulberg through the impending chaos. Because while the bout's finish looked and felt sudden, Ulberg painted it as something far more deliberate and expected.

Now, the question becomes: When can Ulberg return for his first title defense? First, he'll have to do a full examination of his injured right knee, which has been speculated to be a torn ACL.

"We don't know for sure [if it's a torn ACL]. We're just waiting," Ulberg said. "I'll get the scans done when I arrive in Vegas, and we'll know everything when that's all done.

Carmen Mandato via Getty Images

"I have never [injured] the knee at all [before this], so I have no idea how to react to it. It's just swollen at the moment. It's hard to get up, so there's something up in there. It definitely takes me a while now to get anywhere, so I'm definitely walking like an old fella."

From a viewer’s perspective, the damage was obvious, as every kick absorbed or heavy movement from Ulberg prompted stumbling and wincing — not just from him, but anyone watching. By Ulberg’s own description, the injury fundamentally altered how he had to move, or more accurately, how little he could.

Even on one leg, though, Ulberg relied on and trusted the hours spent drilling that specific check hook he believed would eventually find its mark — and it did.

"The knee felt like it was kind of going in and out of the socket," Ulberg said. "The pain there, I couldn't bear any weight on that leg. Anytime I pushed off that right foot or step, any kind of weight on that leg, it would give out. So that's basically it. The pain that I had to go through, too, was unbearable.

“I know my left hook — it can reach, and I’ve been practicing that shot specifically for him. I knew that eventually he would walk into it. What I wanted him to do was give him a fake sense of comfort, and then he would come in, and I’d land that shot."

Despite his uncertainty about a recovery timetable, Ulberg isn’t expecting a lengthy absence. Yet his coronation also comes at a unique time, with the division somewhat struggling to find new life among its contenders.

Former champion Alex Pereira is moving to heavyweight. Magomed Ankalaev — the champion before Pereira — hasn’t fought since losing the belt in October. Contenders like Khalil Rountree Jr. are coming off losses. Then there’s Prochazka, who's lost his past three title opportunities since he became a UFC champion in 2022. Accompany those results with the sour taste Prochazka has left with Ulberg in the wake of UFC 327, and the new champion doesn’t want a rematch anytime soon.

"When that word ‘merciful’ was fed into his mouth that night after he said what he had said, he went with it and played with it, and that was his excuse so that he could hopefully get a rematch. There is no way he gets that rematch," Ulberg said.

"I don't see him getting past Ankalaev. He gets his a** beat from Ankalaev, and I don't see him in that top picture again. … He’s had his chances. He’s had a fair few goes. I’m not normally this hard on guys, but, hey, if you’re out there talking smack, then not watching you, buddy. You can’t make excuses out there.

"He didn’t even come and congratulate me after the fight. Normally I really show love to anyone that I fight. They know, too. But with him, it was a bit different because I just feel he's more trying to play to the crowd."

Although the pickings are slim for Ulberg's first title defense, Ankalaev still stands out most as a new opponent for the champ to test himself against. As reluctant as the UFC has been to put Ankalaev in title fights since his initial try in 2022, Ulberg may be the only one vouching for “Big Ank” at this juncture.

Ultimately it doesn't matter who the name is, as long as it’s not Prochazka, says Ulberg.

"[Ankalaev is] one of the best in there, and I think that's the only guy I need to test myself with in there. I think he's deserving," Ulberg said.

"But definitely not a rematch with Jiri."