Paulo Costa has publicly challenged Jiri Prochazka's statements about showing mercy during his fight with Carlos Ulberg. Costa suggests that Prochazka was not truthful about the nature of their encounter. The Brazilian middleweight expressed his opinion on the matter through social media commentary. Prochazka had previously made claims about exercising restraint in the bout with Ulberg. Costa's comments add to ongoing discussions about the fight and Prochazka's conduct during the matchup.
Paulo Costa has taken to social media to publicly dispute Jiri Prochazka's claim that he showed mercy during his recent fight with Carlos Ulberg, calling the Czech fighter's version of events into question.
Prochazka, ranked second in the UFC light heavyweight division, carries a record of 32-6-1 and is one of the most aggressive strikers in the 205-pound weight class. The 33-year-old from the Czech Republic trains out of Jetsaam Gym Brno and lands an impressive 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He had publicly suggested that he exercised restraint at some point during his bout with Ulberg, a claim that drew a sharp response from an unlikely voice.
That voice belonged to Costa, a middleweight ranked 13th in his division with a 16-4-0 record. Known as "The Eraser," the 35-year-old Brazilian is no stranger to outspoken commentary, and his striking numbers back up his reputation as a pressure fighter — he lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, among the higher marks in the middleweight division. Costa used social media to suggest Prochazka was not being truthful about the nature of the fight.
Ulberg, the third-ranked light heavyweight, holds a record of 15-1-0 and fights out of City Kickboxing in New Zealand. At six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, "Black Jag" is a physical presence at 205 pounds and lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the division's more active offensive fighters.
Why it matters
- Prochazka sits at number two in the light heavyweight rankings, meaning any narrative around his recent performance carries divisional weight
- Ulberg is ranked third, so the perceived competitiveness of their fight has direct implications for title contention
- Costa's cross-divisional commentary keeps both fighters in the public conversation ahead of future matchmaking
