Carlos Ulberg rejected Jiri Prochazka's assertion that he showed mercy during their UFC 327 fight, instead attributing Prochazka's hesitation to fear and indecisiveness. Ulberg stated that what separates a champion from someone playing to the crowd is authenticity, and he accused Prochazka of pretending. He suggested Prochazka's mercy narrative was an excuse to justify a rematch request. Ulberg confidently predicted that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fought. The New Zealand fighter positioned himself as focused on becoming the best in the world, dismissing Prochazka's post-fight explanations as showmanship.
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim of showing mercy during their UFC 327 bout on April 11, calling the narrative an excuse and predicting that Magomed Ankalaev would dominate the Czech fighter if the two were to meet.
Ulberg, who fights out of the renowned City Kickboxing gym in New Zealand, dismissed Prochazka's assertion that he held back during the contest. The 35-year-old "Black Jag" attributed what Prochazka described as mercy to fear and indecisiveness, and accused him of playing to the crowd rather than competing with authenticity. Ulberg also suggested the mercy story was constructed to justify a rematch request, framing it as showmanship rather than substance. Now ranked third in the light heavyweight division with a record of 15-1-0, Ulberg has established himself as one of the most active strikers in the weight class, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight and holding a record of 32-6-1, carries considerable pedigree. The 33-year-old Czech fighter lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute, also at 55 percent accuracy, and brings a 203-centimeter reach into his bouts. His willingness to engage in chaotic, crowd-pleasing exchanges has defined his career, but Ulberg clearly views that tendency as a vulnerability rather than a strength.
Ulberg also weighed in on the division's top-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev of Russia, expressing confidence that the 34-year-old would handle Prochazka. Ankalaev carries a record of 21-2-1 and sits fifth in the pound-for-pound rankings, mixing a measured striking output of 3.65 significant strikes per minute with 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's public challenge to Prochazka's account reshapes the post-fight narrative around UFC 327's light heavyweight contest
- The exchange has direct implications for rankings movement and potential rematch or title-eliminator conversations at 205 pounds
- Ankalaev, as the division's top-ranked fighter, is now drawn into the discourse despite not competing at the event
Saturday, April 11, 2026
