Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, commented on Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim of showing mercy to Carlos Ulberg. Longo suggested the explanation reflects mental health issues in MMA, stating Prochazka simply made a severe mistake rather than showing compassion. Carlos Ulberg separately dismissed Prochazka's mercy narrative, asserting that fear drove Prochazka's actions and that he is performing for public attention. Ulberg claimed Prochazka did not approach him after the fight and accused him of using the mercy story as justification for a rematch. The post also noted possible tension at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with neither appearing together recently or acknowledging each other's fights. Additionally, it mentioned Ulberg's suspected ACL tear, with an average recovery time of 9-12 months, though confirmation is pending this week.
Ray Longo and Carlos Ulberg have both pushed back hard against Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim that he showed mercy during their light heavyweight contest, with the veteran coach and the New Zealand contender offering sharply different but equally dismissive takes on the Czech fighter's narrative.
Longo, who coaches Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, framed Prochazka's mercy explanation as a reflection of the broader mental health landscape in MMA, arguing bluntly that Prochazka simply made a severe mistake rather than a compassionate choice. Prochazka, 33, carries a 32-6-1 record and holds the number-two ranking in the light heavyweight division. The six-foot-three Czech fighter out of Jetsaam Gym Brno lands an imposing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making any claim of deliberate restraint a significant talking point.
Ulberg was equally dismissive. The 35-year-old New Zealander, ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1-0 record, said fear — not mercy — drove Prochazka's behavior and accused him of playing to public attention. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute, Ulberg is among the division's most active offensive fighters. He specifically alleged that Prochazka never approached him after the fight and is using the mercy narrative as a vehicle to justify a rematch.
Why it matters
- Prochazka and Ulberg are ranked second and third respectively in the light heavyweight division, meaning their rivalry directly shapes title contention
- Ulberg is suspected to have suffered an ACL tear, with confirmation pending and a potential 9-12 month recovery timeline clouding his divisional future
- A reported chill between Ulberg and City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya — ranked eighth at middleweight with a 24-6-0 record — adds an internal team dimension, with neither man recently appearing together or publicly acknowledging the other's fights
