Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has strongly criticized Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation following his loss at UFC 327. Longo questioned whether mental health issues in MMA need to be addressed, referencing Prochazka's unusual training methods including praying to Olympus, headstands, and drinking his own urine. He dismissed Prochazka's claim of showing "mercy" as an excuse, stating the fighter simply made a serious mistake and was using this narrative to angle for a rematch. Carlos Ulberg also weighed in, saying Prochazka's mercy claim was nonsense and that fear was the real factor. Ulberg noted Prochazka didn't approach him after their fight and suggested all his actions are calculated for public reaction. Additionally, Donald Trump reportedly told Costa after his fight that he's "too handsome to be a fighter." Tension was also noted within City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg.
Ray Longo has publicly taken aim at Jiri Prochazka following the Czech light heavyweight's defeat at UFC 327 on April 11, questioning the fighter's mental state and dismissing the narrative Prochazka offered to explain the loss.
Longo, best known as the coach of Merab Dvalishvili and former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, stopped short of accepting Prochazka's claim that he showed "mercy" during the fight. In Longo's view, Prochazka made a serious competitive mistake and is now constructing a storyline to position himself for a rematch. Longo also raised the broader question of whether mental health awareness in MMA deserves more attention, pointing to Prochazka's well-documented unconventional training habits — including praying to Olympus, performing headstands, and drinking his own urine — as context for his concerns.
Prochazka, 33, is ranked second in the light heavyweight division and carries a record of 32-6-1. The six-foot-three Czech fighter has long been one of the most aggressive strikers in the weight class, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg also pushed back on Prochazka's mercy narrative, calling it nonsense and suggesting fear was the real motivating factor. Ulberg added that Prochazka did not approach him after their own fight and argued that his public statements are carefully managed for audience reaction.
On a lighter note, Donald Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa after his UFC 327 appearance that he was "too handsome to be a fighter." Costa, 35, holds a 16-4-0 record at middleweight and is ranked 13th in the division, known for his punishing output of 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's rematch ambitions hinge on how the "mercy" narrative is received by UFC matchmakers and fans
- Longo's comments signal wider skepticism from the coaching community toward Prochazka's post-fight framing
- Reported tension between Israel Adesanya and Carlos Ulberg within City Kickboxing adds an internal dynamic to watch at the gym, given both men compete at separate weight classes but train together daily
Saturday, April 11, 2026
