Carlos Ulberg has rejected Jiri Prochazka's statement that he showed mercy during their recent bout. Ulberg stated that there was no mercy involved and suggested Prochazka was motivated by fear and indecision rather than compassion. He believes Prochazka is using this narrative as an excuse to secure a rematch. Ulberg firmly stated there will be no rematch opportunity and predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fought. The comments highlight Ulberg's view that champions focus on winning rather than playing to the crowd.
Carlos Ulberg has publicly dismissed Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during their recent light heavyweight bout, calling the narrative a convenient excuse rather than any reflection of what happened inside the cage.
Ulberg, ranked third in the light heavyweight division, carries a 15-1-0 record and brings a relentless offensive game to every fight. The 35-year-old New Zealander, who trains out of City Kickboxing, lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — numbers that put him among the busiest and most precise strikers in the division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he flatly rejected any suggestion that Prochazka held back, arguing instead that hesitation and fear drove his opponent's actions rather than any act of generosity.
Prochazka, ranked second in the division with a 32-6-1 record, is one of MMA's most unpredictable fighters. The 33-year-old Czech, who fights out of Jetsaam Gym Brno, stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute. His aggressive, unorthodox approach has made him a fan favorite, but Ulberg believes the mercy narrative is simply a play for a second fight — one he has firmly ruled out.
Ulberg went further, predicting that number-one ranked Magomed Ankalaev would beat Prochazka if the two met. Ankalaev carries a 21-2-1 record and holds the number-five spot on the pound-for-pound rankings. The 34-year-old Russian averages 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes, blending wrestling with his striking to create a well-rounded threat that has kept him at the top of the division.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's comments reinforce his standing as a legitimate top-three threat in a stacked light heavyweight picture
- Prochazka's mercy claim, if widely accepted, could shape how the UFC frames a potential rematch or title eliminator
- Ankalaev entering the conversation adds another layer to an already crowded divisional logjam at the top
