Ulberg says he never considered quitting despite knee injury mid-fight

Carlos Ulberg has opened up about the mental resolve that carried him through a knee injury sustained mid-fight on the way to capturing the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327 on April 11.

The New Zealand fighter, who trains out of City Kickboxing, stopped Jiri Prochazka in the first round to claim the 205-pound championship, but the victory came at a physical cost. Ulberg revealed after the event that he injured his knee during the fight and had no choice but to adapt on the fly. He made clear that stopping was never an option, framing it as simply part of the reality of competing at the highest level — things happen inside the cage and you find a way to keep going.

Ulberg, nicknamed "Black Jag," is 35 years old and now holds a professional record of 15-1-0. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence in the light heavyweight division. His striking game has long been the foundation of his success, and the numbers reflect that — he lands an impressive 6.54 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, numbers that rank among the best in his weight class.

Why it matters

• Ulberg's first-round knockout of Prochazka marks one of the most significant title changes in the light heavyweight division in recent memory
• His ability to fight through a knee injury in a championship bout underlines the mental and physical demands of competing at UFC title level
• At 35, Ulberg adds the UFC light heavyweight title to a career built steadily through City Kickboxing, one of MMA's most respected programs
• The manner of the victory — a finish despite injury — immediately establishes him as a formidable champion heading into his first title defenses