Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, questioned Jiri Prochazka's mental state after his loss to Carlos Ulberg, dismissing the Czech fighter's claim that he showed mercy. Longo suggested Prochazka simply made a critical mistake rather than showing compassion. Carlos Ulberg also rejected Prochazka's mercy narrative, stating that fear and hesitation were the real factors in the fight. Ulberg added that Prochazka is playing to the audience and believes he will not get a rematch, predicting that Magomed Ankalaev will defeat him if they fight. The post also notes apparent tension at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with the two not seen together recently and showing no public support for each other's recent fights.
Ray Longo has publicly challenged Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim that he deliberately held back against Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 on April 11, with Ulberg himself also rejecting the narrative in the days that followed.
Longo, the veteran trainer known for his work with Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, dismissed the idea that Prochazka exercised any form of mercy during the bout. His view is straightforward: Prochazka made a critical mistake, and dressing it up as compassion does not hold up to scrutiny.
Prochazka, 33, carries a 32-6-1 record and holds the number-two ranking in the light heavyweight division. The Czech fighter out of Jetsaam Gym Brno is an aggressive, high-output striker, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Despite the loss, his standing in the division remains significant.
Ulberg was equally blunt in his response. The City Kickboxing product, ranked third at light heavyweight, said fear and hesitation were what truly shaped that moment in the fight, not any act of generosity from Prochazka. Ulberg, who is 35 years old and holds a 15-1-0 record, has emerged as one of the division's most dangerous finishers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would beat Prochazka if the two were to meet, and expressed doubt that Prochazka would earn a rematch.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's win and his rejection of the mercy narrative strengthens his case as a legitimate title contender at 205 pounds
- Prochazka's mental framing of the loss, if it continues publicly, could affect how the UFC positions him for future matchmaking
- Reported distance between Ulberg and City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya, ranked eighth at middleweight, adds an internal subplot worth monitoring within one of MMA's most prominent training camps
Saturday, April 11, 2026
