Carlos Ulberg
Carlos "Black Jag" Ulberg is more than just a rising star in the UFC's light heavyweight division—he's a testament to multifaceted athletic talent and unwavering determination. From his diverse heritage to a career spanning rugby, professional kickboxing, and now elite mixed martial arts, Ulberg's journey is a compelling narrative of constant evolution and striking power. His rapid ascent in the UFC rankings is nothing short of remarkable, leaving fans wondering what heights he'll reach next. Carlos Ulberg's combat sports journey began with a strong family boxing legacy, evolving through rugby league to become a dominant force in kickboxing before entering MMA. He quickly transitioned from "Dana White's Contender Series" to a top contender in the UFC, showcasing explosive striking and a knack for rapid finishes. Ulberg holds significant accomplishments, including multiple "Performance of the Night" bonuses and one of the fastest knockouts in UFC Light Heavyweight history, marking him as a formidable presence.
AI Summary
Carlos "Black Jag" Ulberg is more than just a rising star in the UFC's light heavyweight division—he's a testament to multifaceted athletic talent and unwavering determination. From his diverse heritage to a career spanning rugby, professional kickboxing, and now elite mixed martial arts, Ulberg's journey is a compelling narrative of constant evolution and striking power. His rapid ascent in the UFC rankings is nothing short of remarkable, leaving fans wondering what heights he'll reach next.
- Carlos Ulberg's combat sports journey began with a strong family boxing legacy, evolving through rugby league to become a dominant force in kickboxing before entering MMA.
- He quickly transitioned from "Dana White's Contender Series" to a top contender in the UFC, showcasing explosive striking and a knack for rapid finishes.
- Ulberg holds significant accomplishments, including multiple "Performance of the Night" bonuses and one of the fastest knockouts in UFC Light Heavyweight history, marking him as a formidable presence.
Carlos Ulberg: The "Black Jag"
Meet Carlos "Black Jag" Ulberg, the New Zealand phenom currently tearing through the UFC's Light Heavyweight division. Born in 1990, this mixed martial artist and former kickboxer is rapidly making a name for himself, currently ranked #3 in the world. His path to the top is a story of diverse talents and relentless drive.
Roots and Early Life
Ulberg's heritage is a vibrant tapestry, with Samoan, Māori, and German roots, reflecting New Zealand's diverse cultural landscape. He was raised in South Auckland by a foster family from the age of four, shaping his resilience and character.
Athletics runs deep in his family—his father was an amateur boxer who proudly represented Samoa at the Commonwealth Games. This early exposure to combat sports surely planted a seed for Ulberg's future.
Before finding his calling in the striking arts, Ulberg was a skilled rugby league player, even competing semi-professionally for Counties-Manukau. Surprisingly, his charisma also caught the eye of television producers, leading to appearances on "Game Of Bros" and even multiple offers to star in "The Bachelor New Zealand."
The Genesis of a Striker
While his future lay in MMA, Ulberg did make a brief but successful foray into professional boxing. In August 2015, he stepped into the ring for his debut, fighting Daniel Meehan and securing a unanimous decision victory. It was a one-off, but a testament to his innate striking ability.
Entering the Cage
Ulberg's mixed martial arts journey officially began in 2011. In his very first professional MMA fight, competing for the King of the Door promotion, he faced Kaota Puna and delivered a powerful second-round knockout, signaling his arrival with undeniable impact.
Dana White's Contender Series
The defining moment for his UFC aspirations came at Dana White's Contender Series 34 in November 2020. Ulberg showcased his explosive power, knocking out Bruno Oliveira in the first round to earn that coveted UFC contract. It was a clear statement: he was ready for the big leagues.
UFC Career
His highly anticipated UFC debut arrived in March 2021 at UFC 259 against Kennedy Nzechukwu. Ulberg started strong, overwhelming Nzechukwu with strikes, but the furious pace led to exhaustion, and he ultimately suffered a second-round knockout loss. Despite the defeat, the exciting back-and-forth earned him a "Fight of the Night" bonus.
Undeterred by his debut loss, Ulberg returned to the Octagon in February 2022 at UFC 271. He faced Fabio Cherant and demonstrated his resilience, securing a decisive unanimous decision victory to get his first UFC win.
Momentum quickly gathered as he faced Tafon Nchukwi in June 2022. Ulberg wasted no time, delivering a dominant performance and winning via TKO in the very first round, showcasing his dangerous striking once again.
Later that year, at UFC 281 in November, Ulberg continued his impressive run. He delivered another spectacular knockout in the first round against Nicolae Negumereanu, solidifying his reputation as a formidable finisher in the light heavyweight division.
In May 2023, Ulberg once again put on a show at UFC on ABC 4. He stopped Ihor Potieria via technical knockout in the first round, a commanding display that earned him his first "Performance of the Night" bonus.
Demonstrating evolution in his game, Ulberg faced Da Un Jung at UFC 293 in September 2023. While known for his striking, he secured a significant win via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round, proving he's more than just a stand-up fighter.
After some injury setbacks and rescheduled bouts, Ulberg returned in spectacular fashion in May 2024 against Alonzo Menifield. He delivered an astonishing knockout just 12 seconds into the first round—earning him another "Performance of the Night" and the third fastest knockout in UFC Light Heavyweight history!
Fastest UFC Light Heavyweight KOs 1. Jorge Gurgel (6 seconds) vs. Francisco Treviño 2. Dustin Poirier (8 seconds) vs. Erik Koch 3. Carlos Ulberg (12 seconds) vs. Alonzo Menifield
The latter half of 2024 saw Ulberg facing increasingly tough competition. He navigated a bout with Volkan Oezdemir in November, winning by unanimous decision, further cementing his place among the division's elite.
In a significant step up, Ulberg clashed with former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz in March 2025. In a closely contested battle, Ulberg emerged victorious via unanimous decision, with the majority of media outlets scoring the fight in his favor. This was a statement win.
The climb continues. Ulberg is slated to headline UFC Fight Night 260 in September 2025, where he'll face another former title challenger, Dominick Reyes. This main event slot is a clear indication of his status as a top contender, with championship aspirations firmly in his sights.
Legacy of a Champion
Before his UFC ascent, Ulberg was a highly decorated kickboxer, a testament to his foundational striking skills. He was a two-time King in the Ring tournament champion, dominating both the 100 kg and 92 kg divisions.
King in the Ring Tournament Wins 2017 100 kg Tournament Champion 2019 92 kg Tournament Champion
His journey in the UFC has been marked by several significant accolades. He earned "Fight of the Night" once and has received two "Performance of the Night" bonuses for his thrilling finishes.
UFC Bonus Awards Fight of the Night One time (vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu) Performance of the Night Two times (vs. Ihor Potieria, Alonzo Menifield)
Ulberg also holds the impressive distinction of the third fastest knockout in UFC Light Heavyweight history—that lightning-quick 12-second finish against Alonzo Menifield. Furthermore, he's tied with legends like Lyoto Machida for the third-longest win streak in the division's history, currently at eight consecutive victories.
Carlos Ulberg's Professional MMA Record
Carlos Ulberg's professional mixed martial arts record showcases his journey through the ranks, marked by powerful finishes and strategic wins against top-tier opponents.
Res.|Record|Opponent|Method|Event|Date|Round|Time|Location|Notes Win|12–1|Jan Błachowicz|Decision (unanimous)|UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady|March 22, 2025|3|5:00|London, England| Win|11–1|Volkan Oezdemir|Decision (unanimous)|UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo|November 23, 2024|3|5:00|Macau SAR, China| Win|10–1|Alonzo Menifield|KO (punches)|UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento|May 11, 2024|1|0:12|St. Louis, Missouri, United States|Performance of the Night. Win|9–1|Jung Da-un|Submission (rear-naked choke)|UFC 293|September 10, 2023|3|4:49|Sydney, Australia| Win|8–1|Ihor Potieria|TKO (punches)|UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida|May 13, 2023|1|2:09|Charlotte, North Carolina, United States|Performance of the Night. Win|7–1|Nicolae Negumereanu|KO (punches)|UFC 281|November 12, 2022|1|3:44|New York City, New York, United States| Win|6–1|Tafon Nchukwi|TKO (punches)|UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot|June 25, 2022|1|1:15|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States| Win|5–1|Fabio Cherant|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 271|February 12, 2022|3|5:00|Houston, Texas, United States| Loss|4–1|Kennedy Nzechukwu|KO (punches)|UFC 259|March 6, 2021|2|3:19|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|Fight of the Night. Win|4–0|Bruno Oliveira|KO (punches)|Dana White's Contender Series 34|November 4, 2020|1|2:02|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States|Return to Light Heavyweight. Win|3–0|John Martin Fraser|Decision (unanimous)|Eternal MMA 40|December 8, 2018|3|5:00|Perth, Australia|Heavyweight debut. Win|2–0|Umed Rakhmatulloyev|TKO (punches and knee)|World Kings Glory MMA 3|August 25, 2016|1|3:03|Heilongjiang, China| Win|1–0|Kaota Puna|TKO (punches)|King of the Door: Submission 2|August 26, 2011|2|N/A|Auckland, New Zealand|Light Heavyweight debut.
Article
Carlos Ulberg
Carlos Sao Murry Ulberg (born 17 November 1990) is a New Zealand professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 25, 2025, he is #3 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Background
Carlos Ulberg
Ulberg was born in New Zealand to parents of Samoan, Māori and German descent. His father was a boxer who represented Samoa at the Commonwealth Games. He was raised by a foster family in South Auckland from the age of four and attended Hillary College throughout his upbringing. Ulberg began playing rugby league as a child, a sport in which he would later compete at the semi-professional level when he became a Counties-Manukau representative. He was a contestant on the Game Of Bros reality television show in 2018 and was twice offered the opportunity to star in New Zealand's version of The Bachelor.
Professional boxing career
Carlos Ulberg
In August 2015, Ulberg fought in his first and only professional boxing fight, with his stable mate Sam Rapira main eventing the card. He took on Daniel Meehan. Ulberg won the fight by unanimous decision.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Ulberg made his MMA debut in 2011 for the King of the Door promotion when he faced Kaota Puna and secured a second round knockout in his first professional fight.
Dana White's Contender Series
Ulberg competed at Dana White's Contender Series 34 on 4 November 2020 and earned himself a UFC contract via a first round knockout of Bruno Oliveira.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ulberg made his UFC debut on 6 March 2021 at UFC 259 where he faced Kennedy Nzechukwu. Ulberg had Nzechukwu in trouble early with a flurry of strikes, but quickly became exhausted and ultimately lost the fight via knockout in the second round. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
Ulberg faced Fabio Cherant on 12 February 2022 at UFC 271. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Ulberg faced Tafon Nchukwi on 25 June 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot. He won via TKO in the first round.
Ulberg faced Nicolae Negumereanu on 12 November 2022, at UFC 281. He won the fight via knockout in the first round.
Ulberg faced Ihor Potieria on 13 May 2023, at UFC on ABC 4. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Ulberg faced Da Un Jung on 10 September 2023, at UFC 293. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round three.
Ulberg was scheduled to face Dominick Reyes on 20 January 2024, at UFC 297. However, in late December 2023, it was announced that match was off due to an injury sustained by Ulberg. The pair was rescheduled to meet at UFC on ESPN 54 on 30 March 2024. However, on 23 January it was announced that Reyes had withdrawn from the fight and was replaced by Alonzo Menifield. On 20 February 2024 it was reported that the fight against Menifield was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 56 on 11 May 2024. Ulberg knocked out Menifield 12 seconds into the first round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Ulberg was scheduled to replace Khalil Rountree Jr., and face former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill on 29 June 2024, at UFC 303. However, Hill withdrew due to injury, and was replaced by Anthony Smith. Subsequently, one week before the event, Ulberg pulled out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Roman Dolidze.
Ulberg faced Volkan Oezdemir on November 23, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 248. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Ulberg faced former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz on March 22, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 255. He won the close fight by unanimous decision. 8 out of 12 media outlets scored the bout for Ulberg.
Ulberg faced former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challenger Dominick Reyes in the main event on 28 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 260. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Ulberg is scheduled to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiří Procházka in the main event of UFC 327 on 11 April 2026, in Miami, Florida for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
• Ultimate Fighting Championships • Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu • Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Ihor Potieria, Alonzo Menifield and Dominick Reyes • Third fastest knockout/finish in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (0:12 vs Alonzo Menifield) • Third latest submission/finish in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (4:49 R3 vs Da Woon Jung) • Tied (Magomed Ankalaev) for second longest win streak in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (9)
Kickboxing
• King in the Ring • 2017 King in the Ring 100 kg Tournament Champion • 2019 King in the Ring 92 kg Tournament Champion
Mixed martial arts record
Carlos Ulberg
<table><thead><tr><th>Res.</th><th>Record</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Method</th><th>Event</th><th>Date</th><th>Round</th><th>Time</th><th>Location</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Win</td><td>13–1</td><td>Dominick Reyes</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes</td><td>September 28, 2025</td><td>1</td><td>4:27</td><td>Perth, Australia</td><td>Performance of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>12–1</td><td>Jan Błachowicz</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady</td><td>March 22, 2025</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>London, England</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>11–1</td><td>Volkan Oezdemir</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo</td><td>November 23, 2024</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Macau SAR, China</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>10–1</td><td>Alonzo Menifield</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento</td><td>May 11, 2024</td><td>1</td><td>0:12</td><td>St. Louis, Missouri, United States</td><td>Performance of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>9–1</td><td>Jung Da-un</td><td>Submission (rear-naked choke)</td><td>UFC 293</td><td>September 10, 2023</td><td>3</td><td>4:49</td><td>Sydney, Australia</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>8–1</td><td>Ihor Potieria</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida</td><td>May 13, 2023</td><td>1</td><td>2:09</td><td>Charlotte, North Carolina, United States</td><td>Performance of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>7–1</td><td>Nicolae Negumereanu</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC 281</td><td>November 12, 2022</td><td>1</td><td>3:44</td><td>New York City, New York, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>6–1</td><td>Tafon Nchukwi</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot</td><td>June 25, 2022</td><td>1</td><td>1:15</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>5–1</td><td>Fabio Cherant</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>UFC 271</td><td>February 12, 2022</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Houston, Texas, United States</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Loss</td><td>4–1</td><td>Kennedy Nzechukwu</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>UFC 259</td><td>March 6, 2021</td><td>2</td><td>3:19</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td>Fight of the Night.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>4–0</td><td>Bruno Oliveira</td><td>KO (punches)</td><td>Dana White's Contender Series 34</td><td>November 4, 2020</td><td>1</td><td>2:02</td><td>Las Vegas, Nevada, United States</td><td>Return to Light Heavyweight.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>3–0</td><td>John Martin Fraser</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>Eternal MMA 40</td><td>December 8, 2018</td><td>3</td><td>5:00</td><td>Perth, Australia</td><td>Heavyweight debut.</td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>2–0</td><td>Umed Rakhmatulloyev</td><td>TKO (punches and knee)</td><td>World Kings Glory: International MMA Tournament 3</td><td>August 25, 2016</td><td>1</td><td>3:03</td><td>Harbin, China</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Win</td><td>1–0</td><td>Kaota Puna</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>King of the Door: Submission 2</td><td>August 26, 2011</td><td>2</td><td>N/A</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>Light Heavyweight debut.</td></tr></tbody></table>
Kickboxing record (partial)
Carlos Ulberg
<table><thead><tr><th>19 Wins (12 (T)KO's, 2 Losses</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Result</td><td>Opponent</td><td>Event</td><td>Location</td><td>Method</td><td>Round</td><td>Time</td></tr><tr><td>2019-03-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Fou Ah-Lam</td><td>King in the Ring 92 kg II, Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>KO (low kick)</td><td>2</td><td>1:28</td></tr><tr><td>Wins King in the Ring 92 kg II Tournament title.</td></tr><tr><td>2019-03-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Nato La'auli</td><td>King in the Ring 92 kg II, Semi Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>KO (kick to the body)</td><td>3</td><td>1:54</td></tr><tr><td>2019-03-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Julius Poananga</td><td>King in the Ring 92 kg II, Quarter Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>TKO (punches and knees)</td><td>3</td><td>0:48</td></tr><tr><td>2018-07-28</td><td>Win</td><td>Bruno Susano</td><td>EM Legend 32</td><td>Chengdu, China</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>3</td><td>3:00</td></tr><tr><td>2018-04-21</td><td>Win</td><td>Oleg Pryimachov</td><td>EM Legend 30</td><td>Emei, China</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>3</td><td>3:00</td></tr><tr><td>2018-01-20</td><td>Loss</td><td>Oleg Pryimachov</td><td>EM Legend 27</td><td>Kunming, China</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>3</td><td>3:00</td></tr><tr><td>2017-09-29</td><td>Win</td><td>Stanislav</td><td>EM Legend 23</td><td>Yilong, China</td><td>TKO (corner stoppage)</td><td>2</td><td>0:34</td></tr><tr><td>2017-06-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Nato Laauli</td><td>King in the Ring 100kg III, Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>TKO (punches)</td><td>2</td><td>0:41</td></tr><tr><td>Wins King in the Ring 100 kg III Tournament title.</td></tr><tr><td>2017-06-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Ata Fakalelu</td><td>King in the Ring 100kg III, Semi Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>Decision (majority)</td><td>3</td><td>3:00</td></tr><tr><td>2017-06-30</td><td>Win</td><td>Tafa Misipati</td><td>King in the Ring 100kg III, Quarter Final</td><td>Auckland, New Zealand</td><td>KO (front kick)</td><td>2</td><td>1:52</td></tr><tr><td>2017-03-31</td><td>Win</td><td>Jake Heun</td><td>EM Legend 17</td><td>Emei, China</td><td>Decision (unanimous)</td><td>3</td><td>3:00</td></tr><tr><td>2016-12-23</td><td>Win</td><td>Sherzad Babazhanau</td><td>EM Legend 15</td><td>Emei, China</td><td>TKO (retirement)</td><td>2</td><td>2:30</td></tr><tr><td>2016-09-23</td><td>Loss</td><td>Sergej Maslobojev</td><td>EM Legend 12</td><td>Chengdu, China</td><td>TKO (Low kicks)</td><td>3</td><td>2:31</td></tr><tr><td>Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes</td></tr></tbody></table>
Professional boxing record
Carlos Ulberg
<table><thead><tr><th>No.</th><th>Result</th><th>Record</th><th>Opponent</th><th>Type</th><th>Round, time</th><th>Date</th><th>Location</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1</td><td>Win</td><td>1–0</td><td>Daniel Meehan</td><td>UD</td><td>4 (4)</td><td>22 Aug 2015</td><td>TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>