Carlos Ulberg has rejected Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during their recent fight. Ulberg stated there was no mercy and that the difference between a champion and someone playing to the crowd is precisely this issue. He believes Prochazka was driven by fear and indecision, and accused him of pretending and playing to the audience. Ulberg suggested Prochazka's comments are an attempt to secure a rematch, which Ulberg dismisses as having no chance. Additionally, Ulberg predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fought.
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka following their recent light heavyweight contest, flatly rejecting Prochazka's claim that he chose to show mercy during the fight and offering a pointed prediction about what awaits the Czech contender next.
Ulberg, nicknamed "Black Jag," dismissed the mercy narrative entirely, arguing the difference between a true champion and someone playing to the crowd is exactly that mindset. The 35-year-old New Zealander went further, suggesting Prochazka was acting out of fear and indecision rather than generosity, and accused him of performing for the audience. In Ulberg's view, any talk of a rematch is a non-starter with no realistic chance of happening.
Ulberg carries a 15-1-0 record into this public dispute and currently sits third in the light heavyweight rankings. Training out of City Kickboxing, the six-foot-four, 193-centimetre striker lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making him one of the division's more prolific offensive forces.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight, holds a 32-6-1 record and brings his own considerable striking credentials to this war of words. The Czech fighter stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach — one of the widest in the division — and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at the same 55 percent accuracy rate. He trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and is 33 years old.
Ulberg also weighed in on the wider divisional picture, predicting that number-one ranked Magomed Ankalaev would beat Prochazka if the two met. Ankalaev, 34, carries a 21-2-1 record and holds the fifth spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter averages 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes, giving him a more varied offensive threat than either Ulberg or Prochazka.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's public dismissal of a rematch directly shapes the light heavyweight contender picture
- Prochazka at rank two and Ulberg at rank three are separated by one position, making the rivalry's resolution consequential for title queue ordering
- Ulberg's endorsement of Ankalaev adds public pressure to any potential Prochazka-Ankalaev matchup at the top of the division
