Jiri Prochazka has received some rare criticism following his recent loss in Miami, and now the former light heavyweight champion is setting the record straight.

Prochazka Clarifies “Mercy” Comments

In his immediate reaction to the fight, Prochazka blamed his loss on showing Ulberg mercy due to the compromised nature of his opponent. This take hasn’t gone down well with some fans and fighters. Last week, Prochazka said he’d address his critics when announcing the birth of his daughter via social media. He did so in the form of a video posted on X, where he looked to clarify his feelings on the fight following comments that he believes are “nonsense.”

“Let’s get this down in black and white so no one comes up with any bullshit here,” Prochazka said. “Because what I’m hearing all around is complete nonsense and I have to laugh at it. So briefly and the only thing in the fight, I lost my focus there. Focus on the goal. Focus on the target and that was especially the case when Ulberg injured his leg.”

Prochazka: “I Was at Maybe 40 or 50 Percent”

Prochazka firmly believes that he lost focus at UFC 327 from the moment that Carlos Ulberg injured his leg, explaining why this took away from his performance.

“I know what that’s like because exactly this happened to me once in a fight in Japan,” Prochazka reflected. “I fought through that match, but I know what it’s like – the pain, the struggle. So, all credit to him for managing to keep a cool head, for catching me with that hook.”

“But I can say for myself that I know from the moment that happened to him, I wasn’t at 100 percent anymore,” he said. “I was at maybe forty, fifty percent of my performance and I was just sparring and waiting for the referee to stop the fight at any moment.

“It was a big mistake, maybe one of the biggest. I don’t want to beat myself up about it nonstop because the most important thing is always to learn from it and move forward stronger.”

A Title Run Full of Setbacks

Ulberg finished the fight in the first round in Miami and left with the UFC light heavyweight belt. For Prochazka, it was another hard turn in a title run that has been full of violence and setbacks. He won the championship in June 2022 with a fifth-round submission over Glover Teixeira, vacated it after a severe shoulder injury, then lost title fights to Alex Pereira in November 2023 and June 2024 before earning another shot against Ulberg.

Prochazka did not blame the referee, the injury, or bad luck. He blamed the moment he lost the target.

Prochazka Fires Back at Critics

He also fired back at Paulo Costa, Magomed Ankalaev, and the rest of the critics who jumped in after the loss.

“As for responding to all these so-called experts, [Paulo] Costa, [Magomed] Ankalaev and all the other ‘experts,’” Prochazka said. “Well, like this.”

“On top of that I don’t even know if Ankalaev is still being written by his manager or if it’s actually him.”

Family First Before Next Fight

Outside the fight talk, Prochazka said he plans to wait about a month before starting negotiations for his next bout because he wants to stay home with his family after welcoming his first child.

“As for the next fight, I’ll start talking about negotiations for the next fight in about a month,” Prochazka said. “Because right now it’s time to focus purely and mainly on my family. Even though I’m filled with a million emotions from the fight and all those things are really battling inside me, right now I need to hold my ground at home … and just be the man of the house and enjoy this new energy that’s come to us through my daughter, our daughter.”

Prochazka Believes He Will Fight for Title Before Ulberg Returns

Despite the loss, Prochazka remains confident about his future.

“I’m already looking forward to the next opponent, the next round of training,” he said. “To strengthen it again, to be a little better, to stay on the way. Strength and honor.”

“This match has just lit the fire in me even more,” Prochazka added. “And I believe that before Carlos returns to the fight, I will fight for the title.”

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