Carlos Ulberg has ruled out a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, citing issues with Prochazka's behavior after their fight. Ulberg stated that Prochazka did not congratulate him after the bout, which is unusual as Ulberg typically shows respect and love to all opponents. He believes Prochazka's "mercy" narrative is an attempt to play to the audience and improve his public image. Ulberg feels the entire situation has been clouded by Prochazka's mercy storyline. He questioned whether the story could have been better handled without this narrative. The post asks readers whether Prochazka deserves an immediate rematch.
Carlos Ulberg has publicly shut the door on a rematch with Jiri Prochazka, taking direct aim at the Czech fighter's behavior in the aftermath of their bout and dismissing what he described as a calculated "mercy" narrative.
Ulberg, known as "Black Jag," enters this conversation as the number-three ranked light heavyweight in the world. The 35-year-old New Zealander out of City Kickboxing carries a 15-1 record and has established himself as one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing an impressive 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he is a physically imposing presence at 193 cm.
Prochazka sits one spot above him at number two in the light heavyweight rankings. The 33-year-old Czech fighter from Jetsaam Gym Brno holds a 32-6-1 record and brings his own striking pedigree, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy and an 80-inch reach at six-foot-three.
Ulberg's core grievance is straightforward: Prochazka did not congratulate him after the fight, a gesture Ulberg considers a basic standard of sportsmanship that he extends to all his opponents. He views Prochazka's public "mercy" framing — the suggestion that Prochazka showed restraint during the contest — as a deliberate move to rehabilitate his image with fans rather than an honest account of events. Ulberg questioned whether the situation could have been handled more cleanly without that narrative attached to it.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's refusal effectively removes a natural top-five light heavyweight rematch from consideration
- With Ulberg at three and Prochazka at two, any title picture movement in the division now depends on alternative matchmaking
- The public dispute adds a personal dimension that complicates future negotiations between the camps
- Prochazka's standing with fans and the promotion may be shaped by how this storyline develops
