Carlos Ulberg has definitively closed the door on the possibility of a rematch with former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka. The Samoan-New Zealander fighter made it clear that Prochazka’s post-fight pronouncements have eliminated any desire for a second encounter.
Following their bout at UFC 304, Prochazka, despite being knocked out, spoke about his opponent’s performance, suggesting that Ulberg showed a degree of mercy by not finishing him off sooner. This narrative, according to Ulberg, is unacceptable and has extinguished his interest in facing Prochazka again.
“I’m not fighting him again. He’s talking about mercy and all that. I’m not interested in fighting someone who speaks like that,” Ulberg stated emphatically.
Ulberg believes that Prochazka’s post-fight comments betray a lack of genuine competitive spirit. The expectation is that a fighter, after a loss, would reflect on their own performance rather than framing the outcome through a lens of their opponent’s supposed leniency. This perceived attempt to downplay his victory has led Ulberg to dismiss the idea of a rematch.
The Samoan-Australian’s stance suggests a strong desire to move forward and focus on opponents who he feels will offer a more straightforward and respectful challenge, without any accompanying “mercy narratives.”