Carlos Ulberg says he never considered quitting despite knee injury

Carlos Ulberg has opened up about the mental battle he faced after sustaining a knee injury during his UFC 327 bout on April 11, making clear that walking away from the fight was never an option he entertained.

The New Zealand light heavyweight, who competes out of City Kickboxing, said that surrendering simply never entered his mind when the injury occurred. Instead, he described focusing on adapting in the moment and finding ways to keep competing despite the setback. Ulberg emphasized that injuries are an accepted reality of the sport and that fighters have a responsibility to push through adversity no matter what unfolds inside the cage.

Ulberg, nicknamed "Black Jag," carries a 15-1-0 professional record and is currently ranked third in the light heavyweight division at 35 years old. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence who brings consistent offensive output to his fights. His striking numbers underline why opponents rarely have an easy night against him — he lands an impressive 6.54 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, figures that place him among the more efficient strikers in his weight class.

Why it matters

• Ulberg's composure under injury at UFC 327 reinforces his standing as a legitimate top-three light heavyweight contender
• His ability to adapt mid-fight despite physical adversity speaks to the high-level coaching environment at City Kickboxing
• At 35, demonstrating mental toughness and durability is critical for his pursuit of a title shot in a stacked division