Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has raised concerns about mental health issues in MMA, specifically referencing Jiri Prochazka's unusual training methods and post-fight explanations. Longo questioned Prochazka's claim of showing mercy, suggesting the fighter simply made a critical mistake. Carlos Ulberg also criticized Prochazka, stating that fear, not mercy, prevented him from finishing the fight and calling it an excuse to secure a rematch. Ulberg noted that Prochazka didn't approach him after their bout and suggested his behavior is performance for public reaction. Additionally, the post mentions that Donald Trump told Paulo Costa after his fight that he's "too beautiful to be a fighter."
Ray Longo, the trainer known for guiding Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling through their UFC careers, has publicly raised concerns about mental health in mixed martial arts, pointing specifically to the behavior and post-fight explanations of light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka.
Prochazka, a 33-year-old Czech fighter ranked second in the light heavyweight division, carries a 32-6-1 professional record and trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno. Standing six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach, he is one of the more physically imposing fighters in the division and lands an impressive 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Longo took particular aim at Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy in his recent bout, arguing plainly that the fighter simply made a critical mistake and dressed it up as a deliberate choice.
Carlos Ulberg, the City Kickboxing product ranked third at light heavyweight, went further in his criticism. The 35-year-old New Zealander holds a 15-1-0 record, stands six-foot-four, and is among the division's more active strikers at 6.54 significant strikes per minute. Ulberg argued that fear, not mercy, stopped Prochazka from finishing the fight and called the mercy narrative an excuse designed to set up a rematch. He also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after their bout, suggesting the Czech fighter's public behavior is more performance than authenticity.
On a separate note, middleweight Paulo Costa, ranked thirteenth at 185 pounds and carrying a 16-4-0 record, received an unusual compliment from Donald Trump following his most recent fight, with Trump reportedly telling the Brazilian striker that he is too beautiful to be a fighter.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's credibility as a top contender at light heavyweight is now being questioned from multiple directions
- Ulberg's pointed remarks sharpen the rivalry and raise the stakes of any potential rematch conversation
- The division's number-two and number-three ranked fighters are now publicly at odds over how their fight was resolved
