Carlos Ulberg, fresh off winning the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327, revealed he lost his championship belt during post-fight celebrations. Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, Ulberg explained the mishap occurred amid the excitement of his victory. This unusual incident underscores the chaotic nature of victory celebrations but doesn't impact his reign. The UFC is likely handling replacement, allowing Ulberg to focus on recovery from his recent ACL surgery. It adds a lighthearted note to his historic achievement in a stacked division.
Carlos Ulberg has revealed he misplaced his UFC light heavyweight championship belt during post-fight celebrations following his title win at UFC 327 on April 11. The New Zealand fighter told Fox Sports Australia that the belt went missing amid the chaos of the victory party, though the incident carries no bearing on his status as champion.
Ulberg, nicknamed "Black Jag" and fighting out of City Kickboxing, captured the light heavyweight title at 35 years of age to complete one of the more remarkable rises in the 205-pound division. The six-foot-four orthodox striker carries a 15-1 professional record and a 77-inch reach, and his numbers inside the cage reflect a relentless offensive output — landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate. Those figures place him among the busiest and most precise strikers in the division.
The belt's disappearance adds an unintentionally comic footnote to what is otherwise a landmark moment in Ulberg's career and for New Zealand combat sports. The UFC is expected to manage any replacement process, leaving Ulberg free to concentrate on recovering from ACL surgery he is currently navigating following the title fight.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's reign as champion begins with an unusual off-cage story that nonetheless draws further attention to his historic achievement
- His 15-1 record and elite striking volume establish him as a credible and dangerous titleholder in a deep light heavyweight division
- The ACL surgery will be the more significant factor shaping the near-term timeline of his first title defense
Saturday, April 11, 2026
