Auckland's City Kickboxing Gym has it's latest UFC prospect, after Carlos Ulberg's violent knockout of Bruno Olivera in Las Vegas.
Competing on Dana White's Contender Series, Ulberg took time to settle, but a vicious double left hook, right hook combination ended the fight after two minutes, with UFC champion Israel Adesanya and lightweight prospect Brad Riddell in his corner.
UFC president White announced Ulberg was successful in earning a contract afterwards, highly impressed by the 29-year-old's performance.
"It was a no-brainer tonight," White says. "He beat a guy tonight easily - a guy with seven finishes and a 7-1 record.
"He's 5-0 now - he's marketable and he's a good-looking kid," he laughed. "How do you fight for a living and have a face like that."
Ulberg is stoked with the stoppage win, but recognises he had a lot of work to do before his official UFC debut.
"I'm happy, but also a lot of time for improvement for myself,' Ulberg says.
"I am so privileged - this is an amazing feeling. Everything has happened so quickly and I'm just happy to be here."
Ulberg travelled to Abu Dhabi to help Adesanya and his teammates prepare for UFC 253 in September, and was only home for a week, before heading to Las Vegas for this opportunity.
"It's been a challenge, with quarantine back at home - so many adversities - but we were adamant to get through it and be here.
"This is a long time coming, but lots more to come from me.
"I need to go home and improve myself, and improve my ground game, but I'll be ready when the call comes.
Ulberg is the sixth UFC-contracted Kiwi fighter from City Kickboxing, which also houses Aussie featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski and heavyweight boxing contender Junior Fa.
