“It’s a whole university for me, man,” enthuses Ulberg. “It’s my career now, so I’m trying to get a master’s degree! Every day, I do my study, before training and when I get home. I watch fights and I write things down – I want to be the best I can be.
“I’ve been watching a bit of everyone, from old-school stars to newcomers. All sorts.
I like looking at the old tricks, but it’s also good to keep up with the latest things to know what the guys in my division will be planning.
Fight By Fight Preview | UFC 271: Adesanya vs Whittaker 2
“I don’t just watch the way people fight, either, but how they carry themselves outside of the Octagon.”
Never before have mindset and mental health had such a primary focus in sports, and this is one area where Ulberg is ahead of the curve.
“Meditation is key for me, and I’ve been doing it for a long time,” he reveals. “My world is pretty fast-paced, so I need to slow it down occasionally. Every day, whether it’s for five minutes or an hour, I take some time to ground myself. Everybody should do it. It really helps you to relax – and a smile can go a mile.”
Ulberg will definitely be smiling if he defeats his UFC 271 opponent, Fabio Cherant. He calls the American “dangerous, with speed and power,” noting that he respects the pedigree of Sanford MMA, where Cherant is based.