Jiri Prochazka reacts to knockout loss at UFC 327: 'My stupid mercy'

Jiri Prochazka got caught by a left hook at UFC 327. | Getty/UFC

Jiri Prochazka may long regret the UFC 327 headliner as the one that got away.

With the vacant light heavyweight title on the line and Carlos Ulberg hobbled by an apparent knee injury, Prochazka suffered a shocking knockout loss 3:45 into the opening stanza on Saturday night at the Kaseya Center in Miami. In the aftermath of the defeat, Prochazka lamented a missed opportunity while also hinting that he may have let up once he realized his opponent was injured.

It was the same sentiment for Prochazka both in his immediate post-fight interview and then in a video update he later provided via social media.

“Just checking the jaw in the hospital,” Prochazka said on his Instagram Stories. “Big apologies for my performance tonight. I still can’t understand this. My stupid mercy in the fight and that cost me this fight.

“I would like to fight a rematch. Because that was my fight. That was my fight and I just gave him this opportunity to catch me. Big apologies to everyone who support me.”

‘I Lost the Focus’

In a caption on a separate Instagram post, Prochazka again referenced “mercy” but also offered no excuses for the defeat.

If this is the part to be the best, I take it,” he wrote. “Mercy was out of place and this part of myself I need to destroy. In the cage for sure. No excuses, I lost the focus, he [caught] me. One more time, apologies everyone, for my performance It is inevitable to be stronger than ever. See you soon. Let’s go back to home and see the miracle of life.”

Prochazka has now fallen short in his last three light heavyweight title fights — twice against Alex Pereira before the latest defeat to Ulberg. “BJP” captured 205-pound gold with a fifth-round submission of Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June 2022. He was forced to vacate the belt later that year after suffering a significant shoulder injury.