The Ultimate Fighting Championship kept its high-stakes main event going with a swift comeback from a rising star.
Former champion Jamahal Hill (12-2) was expected to face Khalil Rountree in the co-headlining role at UFC 303 on June 29th. Rountree failed a drug test and his suspension was reduced to two months, with additional penalties imposed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. News that Rountree will be replaced by New Zealand-based player Carlos Wolberg (10-1), who will serve as his replacement, was reported in Thursday’s New Zealand Herald. This combination has since been confirmed by multiple media outlets.
Hill is looking to bounce back after a concussion loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 300 that prevented him from regaining his former belt. Hill captured the vacant title against Glover Teixeira in early 2023 and has since rattled off four straight wins with wins over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos. “Sweet Dreams” Hill became the first fighter in Dana White’s Contender Series history to win a title after earning a contract through the company, stopping Alexander Popek by strikeout in Season 3.
‘Black Jug’ suffered the first loss of his career when he was knocked down by a punch to Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC 259 in 2021 and hasn’t looked back since. Since then, Ullberg has won six straight fights, including five first-round finishes. Most recently, City Kickboxing star Wolberg scored one of the fastest knockouts in division history, crushing Alonzo Menifield in 12 seconds at UFC on ESPN 56 in May. As a pro, Ullberg has scored 80% of his wins by stoppage.
UFC 303 will take place on June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the non-title main event featuring Conor McGregor facing Michael Chandler at 170 pounds, while Hill Ulberg will be No. 1. No. 2 in the lineup, with the rest of the money yet to be officially announced. Other major fights on the card include a women’s bantamweight showdown between Mayra Bueno Silva and Macy Chiasson, and a 185-pound showdown between Joe Peiffer and Marc-Andre Barrio.
