Professional wrestling crossover star CM Punk created a memorable moment during a WWE event by tearing off Carlos Ulberg's traditional Polynesian ula-fala necklace. The incident occurred during Ulberg's match against Roman Reigns at a WWE show. CM Punk, who previously competed in the UFC, intervened in the wrestling match in dramatic fashion. The ula-fala is a significant cultural symbol, typically worn as a ceremonial necklace. While this occurred in a WWE context rather than MMA competition, it involves UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg crossing over into professional wrestling.
UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg found himself at the center of a striking crossover moment on April 20, 2026, when former UFC fighter and current WWE superstar CM Punk tore off Ulberg's ula-fala during a WWE event, intervening dramatically in a match between Ulberg and Roman Reigns.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," represents one of the light heavyweight division's most dangerous strikers. The 35-year-old New Zealander out of City Kickboxing carries a 15-1-0 professional record and is currently ranked third in the UFC's light heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, Ulberg is a physically imposing orthodox fighter who lands an impressive 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — numbers that place him among the most efficient volume strikers in the division.
The ula-fala, a traditional Polynesian ceremonial necklace, carries deep cultural significance, making Punk's act of tearing it away a deliberately provocative moment designed to generate heat within the WWE storyline context.
CM Punk, who had his own UFC career before returning to professional wrestling, inserted himself into the Ulberg-Reigns match in characteristic fashion, creating one of the more memorable crossover moments between the MMA and sports entertainment worlds in recent memory.
Why it matters
- Ulberg is ranked third at light heavyweight, making his public profile — and any controversy around him — highly visible within combat sports
- The cultural significance of the ula-fala means the spot carried weight beyond standard WWE theatrics
- The crossover highlights the growing overlap between UFC athletes and WWE programming, a trend that continues to draw attention from fans of both sports
