What do Carlos Ulberg’s Tattoos Mean? All About the UFC Star’s Samoan Inks

#11 ranked UFC light heavyweight, Carlos Ulberg was all set to face Jamahal Hill in the co-main event of UFC 303 on June 29. The Kiwi, sitting on a six-fight win streak, four of them first-round knockouts, seemed to be on the cusp of a title shot if he managed to defeat the former champion at the card. However, it seems to be a far-fetched dream at the moment as both Hill and Ulberg have pulled out from the event.

After Hill was ruled out of UFC 303 because of injury, the 33-year-old was given Anthony Smith as a replacement. However, just days before the bout, Carlos Ulberg also had to withdraw from the event because of undisclosed health concerns. Though the Auckland native isn’t fighting at the UFC International Fight Week 2024, let us take a look at all the tattoos ‘Black Jag’ has on his body.

Meaning behind Carlos Ulberg’s chest tattoo

Carlos Ulberg comes from a mixed ethnic background, with significant amounts of Pacific Islander (Maori and Samoan) ancestry, as well as some German blood. His father was a martial artist like Carlos, having represented Samoa in boxing at the Commonwealth Games. Like many Pacific Islander men, the 33-year-old has many tattoos on his body (although not as much as the likes of UFC heavyweight stars Tai Tuivasa or Justin Tafa, who have full-on Pe’a on their body). His most prominent tattoo, the pièce de résistance, is the tribal piece on the right side of his chest.

It is unknown what the exact significance and meaning behind his tattoo is, but it seems to be an abstract pattern made up of various elements and motifs, typical of such tattoos. A similar tribal chest tattoo (albeit of a different pattern) is inscribed on the most prominent Samoan-descent star in the world, Hollywood and WWE megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

The latter’s tattoo, of course, is much larger, starting from his chest and going down to his left forearm, done in the same ornate Samoan style, containing several elements. While the most prominent, this chest tattoo is not the only one that ‘Black Jag’ has.

Other tattoos on Carlos Ulberg’s body

Another significant tattoo Ulberg has is a turtle swimming upwards on his left forearm, which is another important Samoan symbol. The shelled reptile is a widely used and recognizable motif that signifies health, well-being, peace, and fertility in Samoan culture, in particular in Polynesian culture.

This is not the only animal inked on the Kiwi’s body, however. On his right arm, Ulberg has inscribed the figure of a black jaguar with its jaws open done in beautiful black and red ink. While the feline does not seem to have much significance in Samoan culture, the jaguar represents strength, ferocity, and virility. In addition, it is an homage to Ulberg’s moniker, ‘Black Jag’, which may be the main reason why he chose this tattoo.

The jaguar, standing for ferocity and strength, certainly does seem to represent the 33-year-old’s seemingly innate characteristics as a fighter. Ulberg has a knockout rate of 70%, having finished seven of the ten opponents he has beaten so far, six of them in the first round. This is why his matchup with Hill, a fellow knockout artist, was so interesting to fans.

With the bout now canceled, when do you think the fighter can make a comeback in the promotion, and against whom? Drop your views in the comments below.