Ray Longo, coach of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has sharply criticized Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during his UFC 327 loss, suggesting the fighter needs mental health support. Longo mocked Prochazka's unconventional practices and stated the Czech fighter "screwed up badly" rather than showing compassion. Carlos Ulberg also disputed the mercy narrative, claiming fear caused Prochazka's hesitation and that he's playing for public reaction while seeking a rematch. Ulberg revealed Prochazka didn't approach him after the fight and questioned his authenticity. Separately, Donald Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa he's "too handsome to be a fighter" after his bout, and tensions appear to be brewing at City Kickboxing between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, who haven't been seen together recently.
Ray Longo has come out swinging at Jiri Prochazka following the Czech fighter's loss at UFC 327 on April 11, dismissing Prochazka's claim that he deliberately showed mercy to his opponent as a post-fight rationalization gone badly wrong.
Longo, the veteran coach best known for guiding Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, mocked Prochazka's unconventional training habits and was blunt in his assessment, saying the 33-year-old simply "screwed up badly" rather than acting out of compassion. Longo went further, suggesting Prochazka would benefit from professional mental health support. Prochazka, a six-foot-three orthodox striker from the Czech Republic ranked second in the light heavyweight division with a 32-6-1 record, is known for one of the most aggressive outputs in the division, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg echoed that skepticism, flatly rejecting the mercy narrative and asserting that fear, not compassion, caused Prochazka's hesitation. Ulberg accused the former champion of playing to public reaction while quietly angling for a rematch, and he noted pointedly that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight, raising questions about the authenticity of Prochazka's post-fight statements.
Separately, Brazil's Paulo Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4-0 record and one of the sport's most prolific strikers at 6.26 significant strikes per minute, reportedly drew an unusual compliment from Donald Trump following his UFC 327 bout, with Trump said to have told the 35-year-old he was "too handsome to be a fighter."
Why it matters
- Prochazka's loss and the subsequent controversy cloud his path back to a light heavyweight title shot from the number-two ranking.
- Ulberg publicly disputing Prochazka's account adds friction to any potential rematch negotiation.
- Reported tension between Ulberg and City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya, with the pair not recently seen together, hints at a possible fracture within one of MMA's most prominent training camps.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
