Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, questioned Jiri Prochazka's mental state and dismissed his claim of showing mercy to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327. Longo stated that Prochazka simply made a critical mistake rather than showing compassion. Carlos Ulberg also rejected Prochazka's explanation, saying fear and hesitation were the real factors, not mercy. Ulberg accused Prochazka of playing to the audience and creating an excuse to secure a rematch. He expressed confidence that Magomed Ankalaev would defeat Prochazka if they fought. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight, suggesting all his actions are designed for public reaction.
Three days after Carlos Ulberg handed Jiri Prochazka a loss at UFC 327 on April 11, the fallout from the fight has taken a sharp turn, with both Ulberg and veteran trainer Ray Longo publicly dismantling Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during the contest.
Longo, who coaches out of Serra-Longo Fight Team and works with fighters including Merab Dvalishvili, pushed back firmly on Prochazka's explanation, arguing that the Czech fighter simply made a critical mistake and that framing it as compassion misrepresents what happened inside the cage.
Prochazka, 33, enters the aftermath of UFC 327 holding a 32-6-1 record and ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The six-foot-three orthodox striker from the Czech Republic is one of the most aggressive finishers in the weight class, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Ulberg, nicknamed "Black Jag," was equally dismissive of his opponent's narrative. The New Zealand fighter, who trains at City Kickboxing, said fear and hesitation — not mercy — were what he saw from Prochazka in that moment. Ulberg went further, accusing Prochazka of manufacturing the mercy story to build grounds for a rematch and playing to the crowd rather than being genuine. He also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight, which he interpreted as another calculated move for public consumption.
Now ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1-0 record, Ulberg stands six-foot-four and carries a 77-inch reach. He averages 6.54 significant strikes per minute, slightly outpacing Prochazka in output, also at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's win moves him directly into title contention conversations at 205 pounds, with only one fighter ranked above him
- Prochazka's credibility in the division takes a hit if the mercy narrative fails to gain traction publicly
- Ulberg's endorsement of Magomed Ankalaev as a future threat to Prochazka signals a potentially crowded light heavyweight title picture ahead
Saturday, April 11, 2026
