Carlos Ulberg has ruled out an immediate rematch with Jiri Prochazka, citing lack of respect after their fight. Ulberg stated that Prochazka did not approach him to congratulate him after the bout, which is unusual protocol. He criticized Prochazka's post-fight "mercy" narrative as playing to the audience. Ulberg typically shows respect and love to all opponents but felt this situation was different. He suggested the "mercy" story clouded what could have been a better overall narrative. The post asks fans whether Prochazka deserves an immediate rematch.
Carlos Ulberg has publicly ruled out an immediate rematch with Jiri Prochazka, citing a breakdown in post-fight respect that he says makes the matchup a non-starter for now.
Ulberg, known professionally as "Black Jag," improved to 15-1-0 with the victory over Prochazka and currently sits third in the light heavyweight rankings. The 35-year-old New Zealander, who trains out of City Kickboxing, stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built a reputation as one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He made clear that while he normally extends respect and goodwill to every opponent after a fight, this situation felt different.
The source of his frustration is Prochazka's conduct in the immediate aftermath of their bout. Ulberg stated that the Czech fighter never approached him to offer congratulations — a basic courtesy he views as standard protocol in the sport. He also took issue with Prochazka's post-fight framing around a "mercy" narrative, dismissing it as a performance aimed at the crowd rather than a genuine reflection of what happened. In Ulberg's view, that narrative obscured what should have been a cleaner and more straightforward story from the night.
Prochazka, ranked second at light heavyweight, carries a record of 32-6-1. The 33-year-old from the Czech Republic is one of the sport's most explosive fighters, generating 5.69 significant strikes per minute with a 55 percent accuracy rate and an 80-inch reach that gives him a considerable physical presence at six-foot-three.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's refusal keeps the light heavyweight top five in flux, with the third-ranked contender distancing himself from the second-ranked Prochazka
- The post-fight conduct dispute adds a personal dimension that could shape how the division's matchmaking unfolds
- Both fighters' high striking output and similar accuracy numbers had made a rematch a stylistically compelling prospect on paper
