September 27 witnessed Carlos Ulberg take on Dominick Reyes in the main event of UFC Fight Night 260 in Perth. The Kiwi powerhouse dominated Reyes, resulting in a TKO victory for the 34-year-old, earning him the Performance of the Night bonus. Despite the emphatic win, Ulberg stayed grounded, determined not to fall into the same trap that fame once set for former UFC double champion Conor McGregor.

“When you rise, you’ve got to add this promotional side to it,” Conor McGregor said during the BKFC 82 post-fight press conference, admitting that juggling both can be incredibly draining. “I wouldn’t be the first to tell you it almost broke me,” McGregor continued. “To be honest, maybe it did break me as I went on and I achieved massive success and global out of this otherworldly superstardom. It overcame me at times.” Fast forward to today, Carlos Ulberg explains why!

Carlos Ulberg is nothing like Conor McGregor

Speaking to Ulberg, Brian Campbell of Submission Radio brought up McGregor’s statement that promoting his fights broke McGregor, asking the Kiwi star about his own humble approach to fights. “I mean, [it’s weird.]… weird part of the game,” Ulberg said. He explained that trash-talking works for some people, but for him, “I just like to put my head down and get the work done, shut the f— up and get to work, handle business the way I like to and find success in that.”

He explained that, unlike others, he has a point to prove to himself. “I like to prove to myself… There’s no point [in] me trying to prove to this person or this person. It’s more about me proving to myself [because] I’m my own worst critic,” he added. He further claimed that even with the Dominick Reyes fight, “All I needed was a little moment to myself. It was all quite overwhelming, the win, and it being such a big spectacle… but then all I needed was a good 5-10 minutes for me.”

And once done, he likes to close that chapter of his life and move forward. “I don’t really bask in the glory of it just because so easily something can get taken away from you very quickly,” Ulberg concluded during the interview. This mindset perhaps stems from the things that Ulberg has experienced in his life. 

Carlos Ulberg reveals the savage act that ruined his dream

The rising UFC light heavyweight star didn’t always dream of becoming the biggest name in the mixed martial arts promotion. Before becoming the latest big name in the UFC, he dreamed of an NRL career. However, it took only one savage act on the rugby field that changed everything for the 34-year-old. “We’re coming to the end of the game, and a fight breaks out. The whole team is fighting,” Ulberg recalled. 

“I’m throwing knees at one of the guys and just got him in a clinch, and the camera zooms in on me. So everything’s kind of put on me, and I get banned for eight weeks.” The savage act, caught on live television during a Fox Memorial Cup match in New Zealand, ended his rugby league aspirations. “That was the end of my career in rugby league,” he said. “I went straight to the boxing gym the very next week.”

The incident, though brutal, became the turning point that launched his fighting career.

Having said that, Carlos Ulberg has learned from the mistakes he has made in his life, shaping the person he is today. But it would be interesting to see whether he can continue his approach to fighting as he becomes an even bigger name in the UFC. What are your thoughts on Ulberg’s claims?