Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, commented on mental health in MMA while discussing Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Longo suggested that Prochazka's unconventional practices like praying to Olympus, standing on his head, and drinking his own urine are entertaining but may indicate deeper issues, stating Prochazka looked completely lost talking about showing mercy when he simply made a serious mistake. Carlos Ulberg separately stated that Prochazka did not show mercy but was hindered by fear, calling the mercy narrative complete nonsense designed to secure a rematch. Ulberg noted Prochazka never approached him after the fight and is playing to the audience. The post also mentioned reported tension at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with the two not seen together recently and ignoring each other's performances. Additionally, it noted President Trump told Paulo Costa he is too handsome to be a fighter, and that Ulberg may have suffered an ACL tear requiring 9-12 months recovery.
Ray Longo, the coach best known for guiding Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has publicly questioned the mental state of light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka following Prochazka's recent defeat, while Carlos Ulberg pushed back sharply on any suggestion that the Czech fighter deliberately showed mercy during their fight.
Longo acknowledged that Prochazka's unconventional habits — which reportedly include praying to Olympus, standing on his head, and drinking his own urine — make for compelling viewing, but suggested they may point to something more concerning. In his assessment, Prochazka did not lose because he chose to ease off his opponent; he simply made a serious mistake and appeared completely lost when he framed the outcome as an act of mercy.
Ulberg rejected that framing entirely, calling the mercy narrative complete nonsense and arguing it exists primarily to position Prochazka for a rematch. The New Zealand fighter stated that Prochazka was held back by fear, not compassion, and noted that Prochazka never approached him after the bout, suggesting the talk is performance rather than genuine reflection. Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old, carries a 32-6-1 record and is one of the more statistically active strikers in the division, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
The report also flagged apparent tension inside City Kickboxing between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with the two teammates said to be avoiding each other and not acknowledging one another's recent performances. Adesanya, 36, holds a 24-6 record and sits at number eight in the middleweight rankings.
Separately, President Trump was reported to have told Paulo Costa he was too handsome to be a fighter. Costa, the number 13 ranked middleweight out of Brazil, owns a 16-4 record and one of the higher striking output rates in his division at 6.26 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's direct rebuttal undermines a potential rematch narrative at light heavyweight
- Reported friction between Adesanya and Ulberg raises questions about continuity at City Kickboxing
- A reported ACL injury to Ulberg, requiring nine to twelve months of recovery, could sideline him and shift the division's contender picture
