Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has raised concerns about mental health issues in MMA following Jiri Procházka's recent comments. Longo referenced Procházka's unconventional practices like praying to Olympus, standing on his head, and drinking his own urine, suggesting these behaviors are concerning when they lead to the kind of confusion Procházka displayed post-fight. Carlos Ulberg also criticized Procházka, stating the mercy claim was complete nonsense and that fear was the real issue. Ulberg accused Procházka of playing to the audience and noted he didn't even approach him after their fight. The post also mentions Trump telling Costa he's too handsome to be a fighter, and suggests tension exists between top fighters at City Kickboxing gym.
Ray Longo, head coach at Serra-Longo Fight Team and trainer to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Aljamain Sterling, has publicly raised concerns about Jiri Procházka's mental wellbeing following the light heavyweight's post-fight comments, while third-ranked contender Carlos Ulberg dismissed Procházka's explanation for stopping his attack as, in Ulberg's words, complete nonsense.
Longo pointed to a series of unconventional behaviors attributed to Procházka — including praying to Olympus, standing on his head, and reportedly drinking his own urine — framing them not as mere eccentricities but as potentially worrying signs when they appear connected to the kind of in-fight confusion Procházka exhibited. His comments reflect a broader conversation around mental health practices in professional mixed martial arts.
Ulberg, the New Zealand-born contender ranked third at light heavyweight with a 15-1 record, was blunt in his response to Procházka's claim that he showed mercy during their bout. The six-foot-four striker, who competes out of City Kickboxing and lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute, called the mercy narrative an excuse rooted in fear and accused Procházka of playing to the crowd. Ulberg also noted that Procházka did not approach him following the fight, undercutting any notion of a respectful gesture.
The story carries an additional footnote involving middleweight Paulo Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian ranked thirteenth at 185 pounds, whom Donald Trump reportedly told was too handsome to be a fighter. No further context was provided around that exchange.
Why it matters
- Ulberg's pointed public criticism of Procházka keeps tension alive in a light heavyweight division where both men are relevant contenders
- Longo's comments add a high-profile coaching voice to debates around fighter conduct and mental health in MMA
- Reported friction inside City Kickboxing adds an internal subplot to the gym's growing presence at the top of the division
