Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, harshly criticized Jiri Prochazka's claim that showing mercy cost him the fight against Carlos Ulberg. Longo suggested mental health issues in MMA should be discussed and dismissed Prochazka's excuse as nonsense, stating the fighter simply made a critical error. Carlos Ulberg separately stated that Prochazka did not show mercy but was motivated by fear, calling his explanation an attempt to play to the audience and secure a rematch. Ulberg noted Prochazka did not approach him after the fight and accused him of fabricating excuses. The post also mentions Donald Trump telling Costa he's "too beautiful to be a fighter" and reports possible tension at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg. Ulberg may have suffered an ACL tear requiring 9-12 months recovery, pending confirmation this week.
The fallout from Jiri Prochazka's latest defeat continues to generate controversy, with trainer Ray Longo and Carlos Ulberg both publicly rejecting the Czech fighter's claim that an act of mercy cost him the fight.
Prochazka, 33, holds a 32-6-1 record and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The six-foot-three, 203-centimeter-reach striker out of Jetsaam Gym Brno is one of the division's most aggressive fighters, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy. His explanation that he consciously chose to spare his opponent rather than finish him has drawn swift and pointed rebuke from multiple corners of the sport.
Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, dismissed the mercy claim as nonsense, saying Prochazka simply made a critical error. Longo went further, suggesting the broader topic of mental health in MMA deserves serious discussion rather than being used as cover for in-cage mistakes.
Ulberg, for his part, was equally blunt. He denied that Prochazka showed any mercy, arguing instead that fear drove the hesitation and that the mercy narrative was crafted to appeal to fans and secure a rematch. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not approach him following the fight, which he viewed as inconsistent with the idea of a respectful, deliberate gesture.
Adding to the storyline surrounding Ulberg, reports indicate he may have suffered an ACL tear that could require nine to twelve months of recovery, though confirmation was still pending as of this week.
Separately, potential friction between Ulberg and teammate Israel Adesanya at City Kickboxing has been reported. Adesanya, 36, carries a 24-6 record and sits eighth in the middleweight rankings. The nature and extent of any tension at the Auckland gym has not been officially addressed.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's standing at number two in the light heavyweight division means how he frames this loss directly affects his path back to a title shot
- Ulberg's potential ACL injury could significantly delay any rematch conversation
- Reported friction at City Kickboxing, one of MMA's most prominent gyms, adds a team dynamic storyline worth monitoring
