Carlos Ulberg has ruled out a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, expressing disappointment with Prochazka's post-fight conduct. Ulberg noted that Prochazka did not congratulate him after the fight, which is unusual for him as he typically shows respect and love to all opponents. He suggested that Prochazka's "mercy" narrative appears to be playing to the audience rather than genuine. Ulberg feels the overall story has been clouded by Prochazka's claims about showing mercy during their fight. The post includes a poll asking whether Prochazka deserves an immediate rematch.
Carlos Ulberg has publicly closed the door on a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, citing what he described as a lack of sportsmanship from the Czech fighter in the immediate aftermath of their bout.
Ulberg, 35, fights out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand and holds a 15-1-0 professional record. Ranked third in the light heavyweight division, the six-foot-four orthodox striker — who carries a 77-inch reach — is one of the busier offensive fighters in the weight class, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. The victory over Prochazka marked a defining moment in his rise through the division.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight, is a 33-year-old veteran from the Czech Republic with a 32-6-1 record. The six-foot-three southpaw-turned-orthodox fighter trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and has long been known for his flamboyant, high-output style, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute with a matching 55 percent striking accuracy. Despite that reputation, it is his conduct after the fight — not during it — that has drawn Ulberg's criticism.
Ulberg expressed disappointment that Prochazka did not congratulate him following the fight, describing that gesture as something he considers standard practice regardless of the result. He also pushed back on Prochazka's framing of the bout, suggesting that the "mercy" narrative Prochazka has promoted reads more like a performance for public consumption than a sincere reflection of what happened inside the cage. Ulberg said the broader story of the fight has been overshadowed by those claims.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's rejection of a rematch complicates the light heavyweight picture near the top of the rankings, with both men sitting at numbers three and two respectively.
- The sportsmanship dispute adds a personal dimension that could shape how the division's contender ladder is navigated going forward.
- Prochazka's "mercy" framing, if widely accepted, could influence how the UFC markets any future matchmaking involving either fighter.
