Ray Longo, trainer of Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, questioned Jiri Prochazka's mental state after his recent loss, criticizing his claim of showing mercy. Longo stated that Prochazka's eccentric behaviors and his post-fight excuse were simply covering for a bad performance. Carlos Ulberg also disputed Prochazka's mercy claims, stating it was fear that affected Prochazka, not compassion. Ulberg accused Prochazka of playing to the audience and creating excuses to get a rematch, adding that Prochazka didn't approach him after their fight. Ulberg expressed disappointment with Prochazka's behavior, saying he's always respectful but felt Prochazka's actions were disingenuous. The post also mentions reported tension at City Kickboxing gym between Israel Adesanya and Ulberg, with the two apparently not being seen together recently.
Veteran trainer Ray Longo has publicly questioned Jiri Prochazka's post-fight narrative following the Czech fighter's recent loss, while light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg has directly challenged Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during their fight.
Longo, who trains former UFC champions Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling, dismissed Prochazka's eccentricities and mercy narrative as cover for a poor performance. He questioned the Czech fighter's mental state and made clear he viewed the post-fight excuse as nothing more than spin.
Prochazka, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old, carries a 32-6-1 record and has built a reputation as one of the division's most unorthodox competitors. The six-foot-three striker out of Jetsaam Gym Brno lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, numbers that reflect his aggressive, high-output style.
Ulberg, ranked third at light heavyweight, was equally blunt in his response. The New Zealand-based City Kickboxing product, who holds a 15-1-0 record at 35 years old, said it was fear rather than compassion that affected Prochazka during the fight. Ulberg accused Prochazka of playing to the crowd and manufacturing a rematch narrative, and noted that Prochazka never approached him after their bout concluded. Ulberg described his own behavior as consistently respectful and called Prochazka's conduct disingenuous. The six-foot-four contender lands a division-notable 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Prochazka at number two and Ulberg at number three sit close enough in the rankings that the bad blood between them has direct divisional consequences
- Ulberg's denial of the mercy claim undermines any straightforward rematch argument Prochazka might present to UFC matchmakers
- Reports of tension between Ulberg and City Kickboxing teammate Israel Adesanya, a top-ten middleweight at 36 with a 24-6-0 record, add a separate layer of instability to the gym's public profile
