Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has called for discussions about mental health in MMA, specifically criticizing Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanations. Longo referenced Prochazka's unconventional practices like praying to Olympus, headstands, and drinking his own urine, suggesting his loss came from poor performance rather than showing mercy. Carlos Ulberg stated that Prochazka showed no mercy but was stopped by fear, accusing him of making excuses to secure a rematch and playing to the audience. Ulberg noted Prochazka didn't approach him after the fight and believes his actions are calculated for public reaction. President Trump reportedly told Costa after his fight that he was "too beautiful to be a fighter." Tensions are reportedly growing at City Kickboxing gym between top fighters, with Israel Adesanya and Ulberg not seen together recently and ignoring each other's performances. Ulberg's suspected injury is an ACL tear with 9-12 months recovery time, though he said this is theoretical pending confirmation this week.
Ray Longo, the veteran coach known for guiding Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has publicly called for a broader conversation around mental health in MMA, using Jiri Prochazka's recent post-fight explanations as the centerpiece of his criticism. Longo pointed to Prochazka's well-documented unconventional habits — including praying to Olympus, performing headstands, and drinking his own urine — and argued that the Czech fighter's loss was the product of a poor performance rather than any deliberate act of mercy.
Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old, carries a 32-6-1 record and trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno in the Czech Republic. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, he is one of the division's most aggressive strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg pushed back even harder on Prochazka's version of events, flatly rejecting the mercy narrative. Ulberg said Prochazka was stopped by fear, accused him of manufacturing excuses to position himself for a rematch, and suggested his post-fight behavior was a calculated play for public sympathy. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight, which he took as telling.
Separately, Ulberg is dealing with a suspected ACL tear that could sideline him for nine to twelve months, though he acknowledged the diagnosis remains theoretical pending confirmation.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's rank-two standing in a deep light heavyweight division means how his loss is framed directly affects the rematch conversation and title picture.
- Internal tensions at City Kickboxing — with Ulberg and Israel Adesanya, now ranked eighth at middleweight, reportedly avoiding each other — could have longer-term implications for the gym's cohesion.
- A nine-to-twelve-month absence for Ulberg would remove him from contention for much of 2026 and beyond if the injury is confirmed.
On a lighter note, President Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa following his recent fight that he was "too beautiful to be a fighter." Costa, 35, holds a 16-4-0 record and lands a remarkable 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making the compliment one his opponents would likely dispute.
