Carlos Ulberg

Carlos Sao Murry Ulberg 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 Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. 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.

Ulberg works part-time as a model.

Professional boxing career 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 However, on 23 January it was announced that Reyes had withdrawn from the fight and was replaced by Alonzo Menifield.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. Eight 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 faced 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. He won the championship by knockout in the first round despite suffering a leg injury during the bout. This fight earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night award.

On 18 April 2026, it was reported that Ulberg tore his ACL and will be sidelined from competition for an undetermined amount of time.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championships UFC Light Heavyweight championship (One time, Current) First UFC Light Heavyweight Champion from New Zealand Fight of the Night (One time) Most significant strikes per minute in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (6.58)

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 Win

Jiří Procházka KO (punches) UFC 327

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Dominick Reyes KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Ulberg vs. Reyes

Perth, Australia Win

Jan Błachowicz Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady

London, England Win

Volkan Oezdemir Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Figueiredo

Macau SAR, China Win

Alonzo Menifield KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento

St. Louis, Missouri, United States Win

Jung Da-un Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 293

Sydney, Australia Win

Ihor Potieria TKO (punches) UFC on ABC: Rozenstruik vs. Almeida

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

Nicolae Negumereanu KO (punches) UFC 281

New York City, New York, United States Win

Tafon Nchukwi TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Fabio Cherant Decision (unanimous) UFC 271

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Kennedy Nzechukwu KO (punches) UFC 259

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bruno Oliveira KO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 34

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Martin Fraser Decision (unanimous) Eternal MMA 40

Perth, Australia Win

Umed Rakhmatulloyev TKO (punches and knee) World Kings Glory MMA 3

Harbin, China Win

Kaota Puna TKO (punches) King of the Door: Submission 2

Auckland, New Zealand Kickboxing record (partial)

Professional boxing record