Carlos Ulberg has rejected Jiri Prochazka's post-fight statement that he showed mercy during their bout. Ulberg stated there was no mercy and that the difference between a champion and someone playing to the crowd is exactly this. He believes fear and indecision drove Prochazka's actions, suggesting the Czech fighter is pretending and playing to the public. Ulberg dismissed any chance of a rematch, stating Prochazka is making excuses to get another opportunity. He predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fought, saying Ankalaev would "kick his ass."
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim of mercy, flatly denying that any such gesture took place during their light heavyweight bout and offering a sharply different interpretation of what the Czech fighter's hesitation actually represented.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," enters this dispute as the number-three-ranked light heavyweight in the UFC. The 35-year-old New Zealander, trained at the renowned City Kickboxing gym, carries a 15-1 record and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he has established himself as a legitimate title contender.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight, holds a 32-6-1 record and is a former champion from Czech Republic. The six-foot-three orthodox striker is one of the sport's most aggressive and high-volume fighters, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute with an 80-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical edge over most opponents.
Ulberg rejected Prochazka's framing entirely, arguing that the difference between a true champion and someone playing to the crowd is precisely what their fight exposed. In Ulberg's view, fear and indecision were behind Prochazka's actions — not generosity — and he suggested the Czech fighter is now manufacturing a narrative to secure a rematch. Ulberg dismissed that possibility, characterizing Prochazka's post-fight comments as excuse-making.
He also turned attention to the division's top-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, predicting the Russian would beat Prochazka decisively. Ankalaev holds a 21-2-1 record and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings at age 34, averaging 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside his measured striking output of 3.65 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's public dismissal of a rematch could influence matchmaking decisions in a crowded light heavyweight title picture
- The dispute draws Ankalaev further into the conversation at the top of the division
- A ranked-one, ranked-two, ranked-three triangle at 205 pounds sets up several high-stakes booking possibilities
