AI SCOUTING REPORT · FIGHTDECK

Carlos Ulberg

15-2-0 (estimated based on UFC roster data through early 2025) Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) New Zealand (of Samoan descent) 31-32 (born approximately 1992-1993)
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SCOUTING REPORT

Carlos Ulberg

15-2-0 (estimated based on UFC roster data through early 2025) Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) New Zealand (of Samoan descent) 31-32 (born approximately 1992-1993)
High Danger

Carlos Ulberg is a legit finisher with elite striking coaching behind him. He's 6'4" with a 79-inch reach, fights patient and technical, and has real one-punch KO power on that left cross. He'll try to keep you at the end of his punches, pick you apart with the jab, and time you with the power shot the moment you step in recklessly. Don't stand and trade at his range — he wins that fight. Get inside, rough him up, work the body, and make it ugly. He's less comfortable in the clinch and on the canvas. Treat him as a high-danger striker who does not need many opportunities to end a fight.

Physical Profile

StanceOrthodox
Height6'4" (193 cm)
Reach79" (201 cm)
Record15-2-0 (estimated based on UFC roster data through early 2025)

Finish Breakdown

KO/TKO
~8-9 KO/TKO wins (approximately 55-60% of wins)
Submissions
~1-2 submission wins (approximately 10% of wins)
Decisions
~4-5 decision wins (approximately 30-35% of wins)

Fighting Style

Ulberg is a composed, technically refined striker who uses his exceptional height and reach to control distance and land sharp combinations behind a stiff jab. He is heavily influenced by his Muay Thai background from City Kickboxing (CKB), giving him clean technique, strong defensive positioning, and the ability to generate significant power despite a measured, patient pace. He is primarily a knockout artist who sets up his power shots methodically rather than relying on pressure or volume.

Strengths

  • Elite reach and height advantage — uses a 79-inch reach to keep opponents at the end of his punches and smother their offense
  • City Kickboxing pedigree — world-class striking coaching alongside Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski provides elite technical foundation
  • One-punch knockout power — has finished multiple opponents with clean, well-timed single shots, particularly the left cross
  • Calm, patient ring generalship — rarely gets drawn into wild exchanges; maintains composure under pressure and fights smart

Weaknesses

  • Takedown defense and grappling depth — when opponents force the clinch or secure takedowns, his ground game and wrestling scrambles have shown vulnerabilities
  • Pace and output — can be outworked by high-volume strikers who are willing to trade activity for accuracy; not a swarming pressure fighter
  • Durability under adversity — has been finished by sharp counters when opponents time him, suggesting his chin, while adequate, is not elite

Style Tendencies

  • Uses the jab extensively to establish range, gauge distance, and set up the straight left cross — his most dangerous power shot
  • Fights at the end of his range, leveraging his reach to land while staying just outside opponent's return fire
  • Prefers clean, technical combinations over wild volume; tends to pick spots rather than overwhelming opponents with output
  • Shows Muay Thai-influenced defensive head movement and guard, with upright stance typical of CKB fighters
  • Will look for body work to complement head attacks, setting up liver shots when opponents over-commit to blocking high

Recent Form

Ulberg has been on a strong upward trajectory in the UFC Light Heavyweight division, stringing together notable wins that have placed him in the top-15 conversation. His most high-profile victory came against former title contender Johnny Walker, showcasing his ability to perform on a bigger stage. He enters fights as a rising contender with momentum, though he has not yet been tested at the very top tier of the division.

Key Fights

Win Johnny Walker KO/TKO Signature win that demonstrated his power and technical striking against a dangerous, experienced opponent
Win Alonzo Menifield KO/TKO Showed his finishing ability against a hard-hitting opponent, further solidifying his knockout credentials
Win Modestas Bukauskas KO/TKO Early UFC statement win that put the division on notice regarding his power
Loss Nicolae Negumereanu Decision Early UFC setback that exposed his grappling and ability to handle pressure wrestlers over full fight distance

Recommended Game Plan

Ulberg is a dangerous, technically sound striker with elite reach who will try to keep the fight at distance and land his power left hand. The key to beating him is disrupting his rhythm, closing distance aggressively to negate his reach advantage, and making him uncomfortable in the clinch and on the ground where he is less polished. Do not stand in front of him at mid-range and trade — that is where he is most dangerous.

Standing

Do NOT sit at mid-range and exchange — that is his comfort zone where his reach and power are maximized. Instead, use angles, lateral movement, and feints to draw the jab before exploding inside. If you have speed advantages, use rapid combination work to make him react. Body work early can slow his output and compromise his base. If you are a pressure fighter, use head movement and smother his range by walking him down behind a tight guard. Watch for the right jab that sets up the power left cross — this is his primary finishing sequence.

Clinch

Aggressively seek the clinch if you have wrestling or Muay Thai clinch advantages — this is where his reach becomes a liability. Work dirty boxing, elbows in close, and look for takedown opportunities from the clinch. Tie up his long arms to prevent him from resetting to his preferred range. Rough him up physically; he prefers clean, technical fighting and can be disrupted by grinding, ugly exchanges.

Ground

If takedowns can be secured, prioritize positional control and damage accumulation — his ground game is his weakest area. Use top pressure to drain his cardio and diminish his striking output in rounds 2 and 3. If caught on bottom, be cautious of his length even on the ground as he can use his frame to create space and return to striking range.

Key Instructions
  1. Close distance behind a tight guard and head movement — never give him space to load up his left hand at range
  2. Attack the body early and consistently to compromise his posture, slow his jab, and set up head shots later in the fight
  3. Force grappling exchanges and clinch work — take him out of the technical striking realm where his CKB training gives him the biggest edge

⚠ NOTE: The Sherdog URL provided in the raw data resolves to Impa Kasanganay (record 20-6), NOT Carlos Ulberg. The record and data from that URL have been disregarded as mismatched. This scouting report is based on knowledge of Carlos Ulberg from UFC roster and fight data available through early 2025. Exact KO count and precise record should be verified against current official sources before use in fight preparation.

Next Fight
UFC Fight Night · vs Jan Blachowicz
July 12, 2025
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