Jiri Prochazka says he was ‘at maybe 40, 50 percent of my performance’ after Carlos Ulberg suffered his injury

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic reacts after a knockout loss against Carlos Ulberg of New Zealand in the UFC light heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 327 event at Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC)

Immediately after his loss at UFC 327, Jiri Prochazka claimed he showed “mercy” to Carlos Ulberg after his opponent suffered a serious knee injury during their fight but still somehow delivered a shocking knockout to claim the vacant light heavyweight title.

That comment didn’t sit well with Ulberg, who called “bullshit” on Prochazka’s excuses. But now that some time has passed and he’s had a chance to reflect on the fight, Prochazka says he wasn’t merciful as much as he just totally lost focus, believing the fight was already won.

“Let’s get this down in black and white so no one comes up with any bullshit here,” Prochazka said on Instagram. “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. I know what that’s like because exactly this happened to me once in a fight in Japan. 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% anymore. I was at maybe 40, 50% of my performance and I was just sparring and waiting for the referee to stop the fight at any moment.”

Despite the injury, Ulberg kept fighting and made the most of his opportunity to score the knockout blow that put Prozhazka down before the first round ended. Ulberg acknowledged after his win that if he actually went back to his corner after the round, there was little chance he would have been allowed to continue given the serious nature of the knee injury.