Ray Longo, coach of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, strongly criticized Jiri Prochazka's post-fight 'mercy' explanation, suggesting it reflects mental health issues in MMA. Longo mocked Prochazka's unconventional training methods and stated the fighter 'screwed up badly' rather than showing mercy. Carlos Ulberg also weighed in, claiming Prochazka's excuse was driven by fear, not mercy, and accused him of playing to the audience. Ulberg stated Prochazka didn't approach him after their fight and suggested everything Prochazka does is calculated for public reaction. The post also mentions that Donald Trump told Paulo Costa after his fight that he's 'too handsome to be a fighter.' Additionally, there appears to be tension at City Kickboxing gym between top fighters, with Israel Adesanya and Ulberg not seen together recently.
Ray Longo has publicly taken aim at Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation, and light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg has added his own sharp criticism, creating a fresh wave of controversy around the Czech fighter's conduct and character.
Longo, best known as the head coach of Merab Dvalishvili and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, was blunt in dismissing Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during his most recent outing. Longo suggested the explanation points to deeper mental health concerns within the sport and mocked Prochazka's well-documented unconventional training methods, arguing the fighter simply "screwed up badly" and is reframing a mistake as a noble gesture.
Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division, carries a record of 32-6-1 and is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the game at six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach. The 33-year-old from the Czech Republic also brings an aggressive offensive output, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Ulberg went further, accusing Prochazka of being motivated by fear rather than compassion and claiming everything the fighter does is calculated for public reaction. Notably, Ulberg stated that Prochazka did not approach him following their fight and suggested the two had no genuine interaction afterward.
Separately, there appears to be some distance between Ulberg and his City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya. The two have not been seen together recently, hinting at possible tension within the gym. Adesanya, ranked eighth at middleweight with a 24-6-0 record, has long been the face of City Kickboxing alongside Ulberg.
On a lighter note, Donald Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa following his fight that he was too handsome to be a fighter. Costa, who carries a 16-4-0 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, is ranked thirteenth in the middleweight division.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's credibility as a top-two light heavyweight contender is being publicly challenged from multiple directions
- Ulberg's allegations raise questions about sportsmanship and authenticity at the highest level of the division
- Reported tension at City Kickboxing could affect team cohesion for two ranked middleweights heading into future bouts
