Ray Longo, coach to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, delivered harsh criticism of Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation. Longo suggested mental health issues in MMA need discussion, referencing Prochazka's unconventional practices like praying to Olympus, headstands, and drinking his own urine. He stated Prochazka's claim of showing 'mercy' was simply a cover for making a critical mistake in the fight. Carlos Ulberg also rejected Prochazka's mercy narrative, claiming fear was the actual factor. Ulberg accused Prochazka of playing to the audience and creating excuses to secure a rematch. Additionally, Ulberg noted Prochazka did not approach him after the fight and suggested tension exists between top fighters at City Kickboxing gym, with Israel Adesanya and Ulberg reportedly not seen together recently and not supporting each other's fights.
Ray Longo, the veteran coach behind champions Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has come out swinging against Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation, calling it a deflection from a costly error rather than any act of sportsmanship.
Longo did not hold back in addressing Prochazka's claim that he showed "mercy" during the fight, stating plainly that it was a cover for a critical mistake. He also raised broader questions about mental health in MMA, pointing to some of Prochazka's well-documented unconventional practices — including praying to Olympus, performing headstands, and drinking his own urine — as part of his commentary on the Czech fighter's mindset.
Prochazka, 33, carries a 32-6-1 record and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The six-foot-three orthodox striker out of Jetsaam Gym Brno is one of the most aggressive fighters in the weight class, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg, ranked third at light heavyweight, pushed back just as firmly. The 35-year-old New Zealander from City Kickboxing dismissed the mercy narrative entirely, arguing that fear — not compassion — was what actually drove Prochazka's hesitation. Ulberg accused him of playing to the crowd and manufacturing an excuse to justify a rematch. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight concluded. The 15-1 "Black Jag" is one of the division's most dangerous strikers, landing 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy across his UFC career.
Ulberg also touched on reported friction within City Kickboxing, noting that he and Israel Adesanya have not been seen together recently and have not been publicly supporting each other's fights. Adesanya, the 36-year-old Nigerian middleweight ranked eighth at 24-6-0, trains at the same Auckland gym.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's standing at number two in light heavyweight means any narrative around his mental state or decision-making has direct implications for title contention
- Ulberg's accusation of a rematch-fishing excuse puts pressure on matchmakers to evaluate whether a second fight is warranted
- Reported tensions inside City Kickboxing add an unusual internal dynamic to two of the gym's key fighters operating in overlapping spotlights
