Carlos Ulberg's manager Ash Belcastro confirmed that the fighter has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Belcastro stated that the surgery went "very well" and that Ulberg is "focused on returning as soon as possible." However, recovery from this injury can take up to 12 months, meaning Ulberg may not compete in the octagon until the end of 2026. The injury raises questions about whether the UFC should introduce an interim title during his absence.
Carlos Ulberg has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his manager Ash Belcastro confirmed, casting serious doubt over the New Zealand light heavyweight contender's availability for the remainder of 2026.
Belcastro reported that Ulberg underwent surgery, which went "very well," and that the fighter is "focused on returning as soon as possible." ACL recoveries typically require up to twelve months, however, meaning the 35-year-old may not step back inside the octagon until late 2026 at the earliest.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," trains out of City Kickboxing and carries a 15-1 record in the light heavyweight division, where he currently sits ranked third. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he has built his reputation as a high-volume striker, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate — numbers that place him among the more dangerous stand-up fighters in the 205-pound weight class.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's absence removes the third-ranked light heavyweight contender from the divisional picture for a significant stretch of time.
- With a top-three contender unavailable for potentially the rest of the year, the UFC faces pressure to consider interim title options to keep the division active.
- His elite striking output and physical tools — six-foot-four frame, 77-inch reach — made him one of the more compelling title challengers, and his absence reshapes the contender landscape at 205 pounds.
