Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, criticized Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation, calling it indicative of mental health issues in MMA and stating Prochazka "just messed up badly." Carlos Ulberg also dismissed Prochazka's mercy claim, saying fear was the real issue and that Prochazka is "playing to the crowd" with his excuses. Ulberg noted Prochazka didn't approach him after their fight and suggested everything Prochazka does is calculated for public reaction. Additionally, Donald Trump reportedly told Paulo Costa after his fight that he is "too handsome to be a fighter." Tensions are also reportedly building at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with the two not seen together recently and ignoring each other's performances. Ulberg is suspected of having a torn ACL with recovery estimated at 9-12 months.
