Carlos Ulberg strongly rejected Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during their fight. Ulberg stated there was no mercy and that fear and indecision drove Prochazka's actions, distinguishing a true champion from someone playing to the crowd. He accused Prochazka of pretending and playing games while he himself is focused on being the best in the world. Ulberg believes Prochazka's mercy comments are an excuse to secure a rematch. He emphatically stated there is no chance of a rematch and predicted that Magomed Ankalaev will defeat Prochazka decisively.
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka, flatly denying the Czech fighter's claim that he showed mercy during their light heavyweight contest and offering a pointed prediction about Prochazka's next challenge.
Ulberg, who fights out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand, dismissed the mercy narrative entirely, arguing that fear and indecision — not compassion — drove Prochazka's behavior in the fight. The 35-year-old "Black Jag" drew a sharp contrast between a true champion's mindset and what he described as playing to the crowd, accusing Prochazka of pretending and running games. In Ulberg's view, the mercy comments serve one purpose: to manufacture a path to a rematch. He was unambiguous that no such rematch will happen. Ulberg carries a 15-1-0 record and is currently ranked third in the UFC light heavyweight division, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect the pressure-heavy style he brings inside the octagon.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight, holds a 32-6-1 record and is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute with the same 55 percent accuracy. The 33-year-old Czech fighter, who stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, has been vocal since the loss, but Ulberg rejected his framing entirely.
Rather than looking back, Ulberg turned his attention to the top of the division. He predicted that number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev will defeat Prochazka decisively. Ankalaev, 34, carries a 21-2-1 record and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fights out of Gorets Fight Club and blends a measured striking approach — 3.65 significant strikes per minute — with the division's highest takedown rate among the three men, at 0.79 per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's rejection of a rematch effectively closes the door on that route for Prochazka within the division's top contenders
- Ankalaev versus Prochazka carries title implications, and Ulberg's public backing of Ankalaev signals where he sees the division heading
- A decisive Ankalaev win, as Ulberg predicts, would further complicate Prochazka's path back to relevance at the top of light heavyweight
