Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, stated that mental health issues in MMA need to be discussed, criticizing Jiri Prochazka's post-fight "mercy" explanation. Longo suggested that while Prochazka's unconventional training methods like standing on his head and drinking his own urine may be entertaining, his mercy excuse was simply covering for a severe mistake caused by fear. Carlos Ulberg echoed these sentiments, claiming Prochazka did not show mercy but was frozen by fear. Ulberg accused Prochazka of playing to the audience and using the mercy narrative to secure a rematch, adding that Prochazka did not even approach him after the fight. Ulberg also noted that Magomed Ankalaev will defeat Prochazka. Additionally, the post mentioned that Donald Trump told Costa after his fight that he is "too beautiful to be a fighter."
Ray Longo, trainer of champions Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has publicly criticized Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation that he showed "mercy" to Carlos Ulberg, calling it a cover for a critical mistake driven by fear rather than compassion.
Longo used the controversy to argue that mental health in MMA deserves serious conversation, while dismissing Prochazka's quirky training habits — including standing on his head and reportedly drinking his own urine — as entertainment that does not excuse what he described as a fight-ending error born of fear rather than restraint.
Prochazka, 33, enters that criticism carrying a 32-6-1 record and ranked second in the UFC light heavyweight division. The Czech southpaw — fighting out of Jetsaam Gym Brno — is one of the most aggressive strikers in the weight class, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy across a career that included a run as light heavyweight champion.
Carlos Ulberg rejected Prochazka's framing even more bluntly. The City Kickboxing product, ranked third at light heavyweight, said Prochazka was simply frozen and then crafted the mercy narrative afterward to position himself for a rematch. Ulberg added that Prochazka did not even approach him following the fight, which he said undermined the sincerity of the explanation. The New Zealander, 35, carries a 15-1-0 record and ranks among the division's most active strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. At six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, Ulberg presents a physically imposing challenge for anyone in the top five.
Ulberg also stated his belief that Magomed Ankalaev will defeat Prochazka, a comment that adds another layer of doubt around the Czech fighter's standing in the division.
On a separate note, Donald Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa after his fight that he is "too beautiful to be a fighter." Costa, 35, fights at middleweight where he sits ranked thirteenth with a 16-4-0 record, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The public criticism from Longo and Ulberg directly challenges Prochazka's narrative and could complicate any rematch push he makes.
- Ulberg's third-place ranking means his credibility in dismissing Prochazka carries divisional weight.
- Longo's framing around mental health signals the broader conversation the sport may be forced to have around post-fight explanations.
