Carlos Ulberg rejected Jiri Prochazka's post-fight comments suggesting he showed mercy during their bout. Ulberg stated there was no mercy and accused Prochazka of being driven by fear and indecision rather than compassion. He believes Prochazka is playing to the public and using the mercy narrative as justification to seek a rematch. Ulberg dismissed any chance of granting a rematch and predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fight. He emphasized he is focused on becoming the best in the world rather than playing to the crowd.
Carlos Ulberg has pushed back hard against Jiri Prochazka's post-fight narrative, flatly denying the Czech fighter's suggestion that he showed mercy during their light heavyweight bout.
Ulberg, the 35-year-old New Zealand standout fighting out of City Kickboxing, dismissed the mercy claim entirely. He argued that what Prochazka interpreted as compassion was actually fear and indecision on the Czech fighter's part. The "Black Jag" went further, accusing Prochazka of using the mercy story to manufacture a path toward a rematch — a rematch Ulberg said he has no intention of granting. Now ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1-0 record, Ulberg has established himself as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Prochazka, ranked second in the division, carries a 32-6-1 record and brings considerable pedigree to any argument. The six-foot-three Czech fighter, who operates out of Jetsaam Gym Brno, is no stranger to dramatic finishes himself, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute. His post-fight framing of the contest drew a sharp response from Ulberg, who made clear he sees it as public posturing rather than an honest account of what happened inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's rejection of a rematch shapes the light heavyweight contender picture at a critical moment
- Both men sit second and third in the divisional rankings, meaning the fallout from their rivalry directly affects title positioning
- Ulberg predicted that number-one ranked Magomed Ankalaev, who holds a 21-2-1 record and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings, would beat Prochazka if the two meet
- Ulberg's stated focus is reaching the top of the division, not relitigating a fight he believes he already settled
