UFC Champ Loses Title Belt After Celebrating Victory

Carlos Ulberg says he misplaced his newly won championship belt while partying after his big win.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 4:02am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the intense action of a UFC championship match, with fighters' limbs and bodies fractured into sharp, overlapping planes of color and movement.The chaotic aftermath of a UFC title fight, where the new champion's carelessness led to the loss of the sport's most coveted prize.NYC Today

In a surprising turn of events, newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg has reported that he lost his championship belt while celebrating his victory. Ulberg, who fought through an injured right knee to capture the title at UFC 327, says he misplaced the belt during the post-fight festivities.

Why it matters

The loss of a UFC championship belt is an extremely rare occurrence, as the title is considered one of the most prestigious awards in all of sports. Ulberg's carelessness in misplacing the belt has sparked discussion about the importance of properly securing and caring for championship hardware, especially in the chaotic aftermath of a big win.

The details

According to reports, Ulberg was partying with friends and teammates at a local New York City nightclub when he realized the belt was missing. He immediately notified UFC officials, who launched a search for the missing title. So far, the belt has not been recovered, leaving Ulberg without the physical symbol of his hard-fought victory.

  • Ulberg won the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 327 on April 12, 2026.
  • He reported the belt missing on the night of April 15, 2026, just a few days after his championship win.

The players

Carlos Ulberg

The newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion who lost his title belt while celebrating his victory.

UFC

The premier mixed martial arts organization that sanctions the light heavyweight championship Ulberg won.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm absolutely devastated. That belt means everything to me, and I have no idea how I could have lost it. I take full responsibility and will do everything in my power to get it back.”

— Carlos Ulberg, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

What’s next

UFC officials have launched a thorough investigation to try and locate Ulberg's missing championship belt. They have reviewed security footage from the nightclub and interviewed staff and patrons, but so far the belt remains unaccounted for.

The takeaway

Ulberg's careless loss of his UFC title belt serves as a cautionary tale for all champions, reminding them to be vigilant in safeguarding their hard-earned hardware, even in the midst of celebratory revelry. This incident underscores the importance of proper championship belt etiquette and security, especially for newly crowned titleholders.