Ray Longo, who trains Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, has criticized Jiri Prochazka's post-fight explanation of showing mercy. Longo suggested that discussions about mental health issues in MMA are needed, referencing Prochazka's unconventional practices like praying to Mount Olympus, standing on his head, and drinking his own urine. He dismissed Prochazka's mercy claim as an excuse, stating bluntly that Prochazka simply made a serious mistake and stood there lost. Carlos Ulberg also commented that Prochazka's mercy claim was complete nonsense, saying fear was the real issue and accusing him of playing to the audience. Ulberg noted that Prochazka did not approach him after the fight and suggested everything Prochazka does is calculated for people's reactions. The post also mentions Trump telling Costa he is too handsome to be a fighter, and notes apparent tension at City Kickboxing gym between top fighters like Israel Adesanya and Ulberg. Additionally, Ulberg's suspected injury is a torn ACL with an estimated recovery time of 9-12 months, though official confirmation is pending this week.
Veteran MMA coach Ray Longo has publicly dismissed Jiri Prochazka's post-fight claim that he showed mercy to his opponent, calling it a straightforward excuse for a serious in-cage mistake.
Longo, best known for coaching Merab Dvalishvili and former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, stated plainly that Prochazka simply stood there lost and made a critical error. He also raised broader questions about mental health awareness in MMA, pointing to what he described as Prochazka's unconventional off-cage habits — including praying to Mount Olympus, standing on his head, and reportedly drinking his own urine — as context for his concerns.
Prochazka, 33, carries a 32-6-1 record and is currently ranked second in the light heavyweight division. The Czech fighter out of Jetsaam Gym Brno stands six-foot-three and owns one of the more aggressive striking profiles in the division, averaging 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg also weighed in, calling the mercy claim complete nonsense. Ulberg argued that fear was the genuine factor and accused Prochazka of playing to the crowd, adding that Prochazka never approached him after the fight. Ulberg suggested that everything Prochazka does is calculated for public reaction.
Ulberg's own situation carries significant news of its own. A torn ACL is suspected, with a projected recovery window of nine to twelve months, though official medical confirmation is expected this week.
Why it matters
- Prochazka's ranked second at light heavyweight, meaning the mental and physical questions around him have direct title implications
- Tension is reported at City Kickboxing between Ulberg and teammate Israel Adesanya, the former two-time middleweight champion ranked eighth at 24-6-0
- A nine-to-twelve month ACL recovery would keep Ulberg sidelined well into 2027 if confirmed
- Separately, Paulo Costa, the hard-hitting middleweight ranked thirteenth with a 58 percent striking accuracy and 6.26 significant strikes per minute, was noted as drawing an unusual compliment from Donald Trump regarding his appearance
