UFC Light Heavyweight Carlos Ulberg Sidelined With Injury Ahead Of Fight
UFC Light Heavyweight Carlos Ulberg Sidelined With Injury Ahead Of Fight...
UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg has withdrawn from his upcoming bout due to an undisclosed injury, sparking concern among fans and disrupting fight card plans. The New Zealand-born fighter was scheduled to face Alonzo Menifield at UFC Fight Night on May 18 in Las Vegas, but the promotion confirmed his withdrawal late Friday.
Ulberg (9-1) had been riding a five-fight win streak, with his most recent victory coming via first-round knockout against Da Woon Jung in February. The 33-year-old City Kickboxing product had been rising steadily in the 205-pound division, making his injury particularly untimely for his career momentum.
The UFC has not yet announced a replacement opponent for Menifield or disclosed details about Ulberg's injury. Medical suspensions from Ulberg's last fight had already cleared, suggesting this is a new training setback. MMA journalists speculate the injury could be related to his recent intense preparation camp.
Fans took to social media to express disappointment, with many noting Ulberg's exciting striking style made him a must-watch fighter. The trending topic reflects growing US interest in international UFC talent, particularly from Oceania's thriving MMA scene that produced stars like Israel Adesanya.
This marks the second high-profile injury withdrawal in recent weeks, following Sean Brady's exit from UFC 301. The promotion has not indicated whether Ulberg's fight will be rescheduled or canceled outright. UFC officials typically wait for medical evaluations before making long-term decisions about injured fighters.
Ulberg's team at City Kickboxing has not released a statement, but training partner Dan Hooker mentioned during a podcast appearance that "the boys are working through some bumps" in camp. The injury comes at a pivotal moment for Ulberg, who had been nearing top-15 contention in the stacked light heavyweight division.
With UFC 303 in June featuring a light heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka, industry analysts suggest Ulberg could target a late summer return if recovery goes smoothly. The UFC's injury replacement protocol often favors fighters who step in on short notice, adding urgency to Ulberg's rehab timeline.
