Carlos Ulberg’s Tattoos: Meaning Behind UFC Star’s Samoan, Chest, Arms, and Others Inks

Every fighter tells a story with their fists. But some, like Carlos Ulberg, also tell it with ink. The UFC light heavyweight contender, known as ‘Black Jag,’  carries more than scars from battle. His tattoos speak of heritage and his identity.

The Auckland-born star is set to headline UFC Perth against former title challenger Dominick Reyes. As the spotlight grows brighter, fans are asking: what do his tattoos mean, and how do they reflect the fighter beneath the gloves?

What does Carlos Ulberg’s chest tattoo mean?

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 Islanders, he chose tattoos not just as decoration but as symbols of identity. The 34-year-old has many tattoos on his body (although not as many 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. It marks him as part of a lineage of warriors who honor their ancestors through ink.

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. Of course, this isn’t the only tattoo etched into Ulberg’s skin. His arms carry symbols that reveal even more about who he is.

Other tattoos on Ulberg’s body

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

Shift your gaze to his right arm, and the story changes. There, 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.

Each time Ulberg walks to the cage, this tattoo reminds both him and his opponents of the predator he embodies. With four first-round knockouts in his UFC run, the symbolism is hard to miss. Now, as he prepares for his main event clash with Dominick Reyes in Perth, Ulberg carries these symbols into the Octagon. They are not just ink. They are shields, weapons, and reminders of who he is when the cage door shuts.

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