Carlos Ulberg has rejected Jiri Prochazka's claims that he showed mercy during their fight. Ulberg stated there was no mercy and that Prochazka was driven by fear and indecision, distinguishing between a true champion and someone playing to the crowd. He believes Prochazka's mercy narrative is an excuse to secure a rematch. Ulberg emphasized there will be no chance of a rematch and predicted that Magomed Ankalaev will defeat Prochazka decisively if they face each other.
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka, flatly rejecting the Czech fighter's suggestion that he showed mercy during their light heavyweight contest and offering a pointed prediction for what awaits Prochazka next.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," dismissed the mercy narrative entirely, arguing that what Prochazka described as restraint was actually fear and indecision. The New Zealander drew a sharp distinction between a true champion's mentality and someone he characterized as playing to the crowd. In his view, Prochazka's framing of events is little more than a convenient excuse designed to leverage a rematch — one Ulberg says will not happen.
The City Kickboxing product enters this exchange as the third-ranked light heavyweight in the world, carrying a 15-1-0 record at age 35. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, Ulberg lands an impressive 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, brings a 32-6-1 record and significant name recognition into this dispute. The 33-year-old Czech fighter stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute, also at 55 percent accuracy. His path forward appears to lead toward a meeting with the division's top-ranked contender.
That contender is Magomed Ankalaev, ranked first in the light heavyweight division and fifth pound-for-pound in the world. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 21-2-1 record and brings a more measured, wrestling-infused game, averaging 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes. Ulberg predicted Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka decisively if the two meet.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's public rejection of any rematch effectively closes the door on that route for Prochazka
- The dispute underscores the crowded and contentious nature of the light heavyweight top five, with rankings implications for all three fighters
- Ankalaev's contrasting style — disciplined and grappling-oriented against Prochazka's high-output striking — makes any potential matchup between them a significant stylistic clash
