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 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 2, 2024, he is #10 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.

Background
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.

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.

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.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championships
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Ihor Potieria and Alonzo Menifield
 * Third fastest knockout/finish in UFC Light Heavyweight division history (0:12 vs Alonzo Menifield)

Kickboxing

 * King in the Ring
 * 2017 King in the Ring 100 kg Tournament Champion
 * 2019 King in the Ring 92 kg Tournament Champion

Kickboxing record (partial)
! style=background:white colspan=9 |Wins King in the Ring 92 kg II Tournament title.
 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2019-03-30 || Win||align=left| Fou Ah-Lam|| King in the Ring 92 kg II, Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || KO (low kick) || 2|| 1:28


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2019-03-30 || Win||align=left| Nato La'auli|| King in the Ring 92 kg II, Semi Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || KO (kick to the body) || 3|| 1:54


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2019-03-30 || Win||align=left| Julius Poananga|| King in the Ring 92 kg II, Quarter Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || TKO (punches and knees) || 3|| 0:48


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2018-07-28 || Win||align=left|🇵🇹 Bruno Susano || EM Legend 32 || Chengdu, China || Decision (unanimous) || 3|| 3:00


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2018-04-21 || Win||align=left|🇺🇦 Oleg Pryimachov || EM Legend 30 || Emei, China || Decision (unanimous) || 3|| 3:00


 * - bgcolor="#fbb"
 * 2018-01-20 || Loss||align=left|🇺🇦 Oleg Pryimachov || EM Legend 27|| Kunming, China || Decision (unanimous) || 3|| 3:00


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2017-09-29 || Win||align=left|🇺🇦 Stanislav || EM Legend 23 || Yilong, China || TKO (corner stoppage) || 2|| 0:34

! style=background:white colspan=9 |Wins King in the Ring 100 kg III Tournament title.
 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2017-06-30 || Win||align=left| Nato Laauli|| King in the Ring 100kg III, Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || TKO (punches) || 2|| 0:41


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2017-06-30 || Win||align=left| Ata Fakalelu || King in the Ring 100kg III, Semi Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || Decision (majority) || 3|| 3:00


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2017-06-30 || Win||align=left| Tafa Misipati || King in the Ring 100kg III, Quarter Final|| Auckland, New Zealand || KO (front kick) || 2|| 1:52


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2017-03-31 || Win||align=left|🇺🇸 Jake Heun || EM Legend 17 || Emei, China || Decision (unanimous) || 3|| 3:00


 * - bgcolor="#cfc"
 * 2016-12-23 || Win||align=left|🇧🇾 Sherzad Babazhanau || EM Legend 15 || Emei, China || TKO (retirement) || 2|| 2:30
 * - bgcolor="#fbb"
 * 2016-09-23 || Loss||align=left| Sergej Maslobojev || EM Legend 12 || Chengdu, China || TKO (Low kicks) || 3|| 2:31
 * 2016-09-23 || Loss||align=left| Sergej Maslobojev || EM Legend 12 || Chengdu, China || TKO (Low kicks) || 3|| 2:31


 * colspan=9 | Legend:
 * colspan=9 | Legend: