Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has criticized Jiri Prochazka's mental state and post-fight excuse about showing mercy. Longo stated that when someone prays to Olympus, stands on their head, and drinks their own urine, it may be entertaining, but this is what happens to them, adding that Prochazka "screwed up badly" rather than showing mercy. Carlos Ulberg echoed this sentiment, saying Prochazka did not show mercy but was stopped by fear, and that he is playing to the crowd for sympathy and a rematch. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not come to him after the fight and that everything Prochazka does seems geared toward public reaction. Additionally, there appears to be tension at City Kickboxing gym, with Israel Adesanya and Ulberg reportedly not seen together recently and ignoring each other's performances. Ulberg may have suffered an ACL tear with an estimated 9-12 month recovery time, though this is still being confirmed.
Ray Longo, the trainer best known for his work with Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has gone on the record dismissing Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim that he showed mercy in his recent loss, and third-ranked light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg has backed that assessment with sharp words of his own.
Longo did not hold back in his assessment of Prochazka's mental approach, suggesting that the unconventional rituals the Czech fighter is known for — which Longo described as praying to Olympus, standing on his head, and drinking his own urine — may entertain people but ultimately come with consequences. Longo's blunt conclusion was that Prochazka did not show mercy; he simply screwed up badly.
Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old, carries a 32-6-1 record and fights out of Jetsaam Gym Brno. The six-foot-three Czech fighter lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, making his forward-pressure style one of the most distinctive in the division.
Ulberg, the 35-year-old New Zealander ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1 record, went further than Longo. Fighting out of City Kickboxing, Ulberg said fear — not mercy — was what stopped Prochazka, and accused him of playing to the crowd in pursuit of public sympathy and a rematch. Ulberg also pointedly noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight, and suggested that everything Prochazka does appears calibrated for public reaction rather than genuine emotion. Ulberg lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect an aggressive, high-output style.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's ranking and rematch case could be damaged if the mercy narrative loses credibility publicly
- Ulberg's position as the third-ranked contender puts him in direct line for a title shot, giving him clear motivation to undercut Prochazka's standing
- Reports of tension between Ulberg and City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya, ranked eighth at middleweight, add a separate layer of instability around the gym
- Ulberg is reported to have suffered a possible ACL tear requiring nine to twelve months of recovery, though this has not yet been officially confirmed
