Carlos Ulberg returns to action in January 2024. Photo: Jonty Dine
Auckland MMA fighter Carlos Ulberg will look to continue his hot run of form inside the octagon at the start of the New Year.
The light heavyweight will feature on the main card at UFC 297 in Toronto in January against former title challenger Dominick Reyes.
Following his submission win over Da Woon Jung at UFC 295 in Sydney, Ulberg got on the mic and proceeded to call out Reyes.
The UFC has granted his request and Ulberg will fight his first opponent ranked in the top 15.
It's been a dramatic fall from the top for Reyes, who is riding a four fight losing streak after dropping a controversial decision against current pound for pound king Jon Jones.
Giving Jones one of the toughest tests of his career, Reyes went on to lose another three on the trot, all by brutal knockout.
The most recent came against number 10 light heavyweight Ryan Spann, who finished Recess, now ranked 13th at light heavyweight, just over a minute into the first round.
Conversely, Ulberg "The Black Jag" has not tasted defeat since his UFC debut in March 2021.
Following his loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu, Reyes has blasted through his opposition, five consecutive wins taking his record to 9-1.
"With all due respect, when you want to get back, lets make it happen. This is what the people want, he's a big opponent, Ulberg said following UFC 295.
Reyes posted to Instagram "be careful what you wish for."
After a tumultuous period following Jones vacating the title, the light heavyweight division was again shaken up at the weekend when Alex Pereira defeated champion Jiří Procházka, becoming a champion in two separate weight classes.
UFC 297 will be headlined by middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who took the title from Israel Adesanya in Sydney.
He meets South African Dricus DuPlessis.