CM Punk interfered in a WWE match involving UFC fighter Carlos Ulberg and Roman Reigns by tearing off Ulberg's ula-fala, a traditional Samoan necklace. The incident occurred during a WWE wrestling event and represents a crossover moment between WWE entertainment and an active UFC fighter. Ulberg has competed in both MMA and professional wrestling contexts. While this is primarily a WWE storyline development, it demonstrates the continued blurring of lines between combat sports and sports entertainment.
Carlos Ulberg found himself at the center of a WWE storyline moment on April 20, 2026, when CM Punk interfered in a match involving the UFC light heavyweight contender and Roman Reigns, tearing off Ulberg's ula-fala in a deliberate act of disrespect toward the traditional Samoan necklace.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," is one of the more compelling figures in the UFC's 205-pound division right now. The 35-year-old New Zealander out of City Kickboxing carries a 15-1 record and is ranked third among light heavyweights, making him a legitimate title contender. At six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence, and his output inside the Octagon reflects that — he lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent accuracy rate, numbers that place him among the division's most efficient strikers.
The ula-fala is a lei made from fragrant pandanus fruit and holds deep cultural significance in Samoan tradition. Its removal in a WWE context carries obvious narrative weight, functioning as the kind of provocative gesture that professional wrestling uses to advance storylines and build animosity between performers.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's appearances in WWE programming highlight the growing overlap between active UFC athletes and sports entertainment
- As the third-ranked light heavyweight in the UFC, his mainstream visibility through WWE could raise his profile ahead of a potential title run
- The crossover moment adds a cultural dimension, given the significance of the ula-fala within Polynesian identity and its history in WWE storytelling
