Ray Longo, coach of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has delivered harsh criticism of Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation. Longo suggests that Prochazka's eccentric training methods and unusual claims indicate mental health concerns in MMA that need to be addressed. He specifically dismissed Prochazka's claim of showing mercy as nonsense, stating that the fighter simply made a critical mistake. Carlos Ulberg echoed these sentiments, stating that fear, not mercy, was the real issue and that Prochazka is performing for public reaction. Ulberg added that Prochazka didn't even approach him after their fight and suggested the mercy narrative is an attempt to justify a rematch. The post also mentions that Donald Trump told Paulo Costa after his fight that he's too handsome to be a fighter.
Ray Longo, the veteran coach known for guiding Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has publicly torn apart Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim that he showed mercy during his recent loss, calling it a sign of a deeper mental breakdown rather than a warrior's philosophy.
Longo was blunt in his assessment, dismissing the mercy narrative outright and stating that Prochazka simply made a critical mistake. He went further, suggesting that Prochazka's well-documented eccentric training methods and unusual public statements point to mental health concerns within the sport that deserve broader attention.
Prochazka, 33, carries a 32-6-1 record and currently sits ranked second in the UFC light heavyweight division. The Czech fighter out of Jetsaam Gym Brno stands six-foot-three with an 80-inch reach and is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg, ranked third at light heavyweight and Prochazka's most recent opponent, backed Longo's position entirely. The New Zealand-based City Kickboxing product, who holds a 15-1-0 record at 35 years old, stated that fear — not mercy — was the deciding factor in the fight. Ulberg also noted that Prochazka did not approach him after their bout, and characterized the mercy story as a calculated move to manufacture justification for a rematch. Ulberg himself is no stranger to finishing fights, averaging 6.54 significant strikes per minute with a six-foot-four frame and a 77-inch reach.
Separately, the post-fight scene also featured Donald Trump telling Paulo Costa, the hard-hitting Brazilian middleweight ranked 13th at 35 years old with a 16-4-0 record, that he was too handsome to be a fighter.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's ranking and reputation in a loaded light heavyweight division make the framing of his loss significant
- Ulberg's denial of a post-fight approach undermines the mercy claim at its source
- The rematch narrative now faces public pushback from both Ulberg's camp and respected coaching voices
