Carlos Ulberg firmly rejected Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during their fight, stating there was no mercy involved. Ulberg argued that what drove Prochazka was fear and indecision, not compassion, and accused him of playing to the audience. He suggested that Prochazka is using the mercy narrative as an excuse to get a rematch, which Ulberg believes will not happen. Ulberg predicted that Magomed Ankalaev will decisively defeat Prochazka if they fight. He emphasized that he is focused on being the best in the world, not on theatrics.
Carlos Ulberg has fired back at Jiri Prochazka's post-fight "mercy" narrative, flatly denying that compassion played any role in their contest and accusing the Czech fighter of crafting an excuse to secure a rematch.
Ulberg, who fights out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand, carries a 15-1 record and holds the number-three ranking in the light heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the 35-year-old is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He dismissed Prochazka's framing entirely, arguing that what observers mistook for mercy was actually fear and indecision on Prochazka's part, and that the Czech contender is now playing to the audience to manufacture a path back to relevance.
Prochazka, a former light heavyweight champion from the Czech Republic, sits at number two in the divisional rankings with a record of 32-6-1. The six-foot-three, 33-year-old is known for his high-volume, aggressive output — 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy — and an unorthodox fighting style that has made him one of the most recognizable names in the division. Ulberg, however, insists that Prochazka's theatrics are a smokescreen and that a rematch between the two is not going to happen.
Looking ahead, Ulberg predicted that number-one contender Magomed Ankalaev will hand Prochazka a decisive defeat if the two meet. Ankalaev, 34, represents Russia and carries a 21-2-1 record along with a top-five pound-for-pound ranking. The six-foot-three wrestler averages 0.79 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects at 52 percent striking accuracy, offering a contrasting but equally dangerous skill set.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's rebuttal directly undermines any public campaign Prochazka might mount for a rematch
- With Ankalaev ranked first and Ulberg third, the divisional picture at light heavyweight remains tightly contested
- A stylistic clash between the high-volume striking of both Ulberg and Prochazka and Ankalaev's wrestling-based pressure makes any combination of these three fighters a compelling matchup
