Carlos Ulberg has visualized holding the UFC championship belt countless times, and each vision transports him back to his turbulent childhood in New Zealand's foster care system.
At 35, Ulberg stands on the brink of a world title shot at UFC 327 in Miami, where he'll face former champion Jiri Prochazka for the vacant light-heavyweight crown. This opportunity comes after nine consecutive victories that propelled him to third in the UFC rankings, but his path to this moment has been anything but conventional.
Between ages four and thirteen, Ulberg moved between dozens of foster homes, experiencing environments ranging from supportive to challenging. "There were some good homes and some not so good homes," Ulberg reflects. "Other times I would get beaten up every day by the other foster children. But that's what has created me into this space that I am now—it's brought the best out of me."
"I grew out of that feel-sorry-for-yourself mentality and started to just push forward. That's what built a resilience in me."
Ulberg credits his foster care experience with developing both his mental toughness and his ability to understand people. Living with diverse families taught him adaptability and open-mindedness—qualities that have served him well through multiple career transitions.
Before entering mixed martial arts, Ulberg reached semi-professional levels in rugby league, then transitioned to boxing before finding his true calling in MMA. He even supplemented his early fighting income through modeling and appearing on a New Zealand reality dating show.
Now, with only Prochazka standing between him and the championship, Ulberg feels prepared for the ultimate test. "I definitely always believed it. I always knew," he says. "The whole purpose for me being in the UFC was if I'm going to do anything, I'm going to be the best at it."
When asked about what winning the title would mean, Ulberg describes a moment of profound reflection: "When I get that belt raised, it's going to feel amazing because time will flash at that moment. You'll be thinking back to the times you had and the stresses—the physical stress, the emotional stress and everything that you'd gone through."
From foster child to world title challenger, Ulberg's journey represents more than just athletic achievement—it's a testament to resilience forged through adversity and the power of an unconventional path to greatness.