Jiri Prochazka reacts to UFC 327 loss, calls for Carlos Ulberg rematch

Jiri Prochazka reacts to UFC 327 loss, calls for Carlos Ulberg rematch

Jiri Prochazka is devastated that he let the light heavyweight title slip through his fingers at UFC 327.

Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC)  was seemingly moments away from reclaiming gold on Saturday when Carlos Ulberg (14-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) suffered a knee injury early in the headliner at Kaseya Center in Miami. Instead of pouring on the pressure, Prochazka left himself open for a Hail Mary shot from Ulberg, who landed it and scored a spectacular knockout on one leg.

In the cage immediately after the fight, Prochazka told Joe Rogan that he took his foot off the gas and had "mercy" for Ulberg instead of finishing the job. That ultimately spelled his demise, and Prochazka is reeling from the harsh reality of falling short of the belt again, and is already pushing for an opportunity to run it back and make things right.

"Thank you all for support," Prochazka said on Instagram Stories. "Just checking my jaw here at the hospital. Big apologies for my performance tonight. Still can't understand my stupid mercy in the fight that cost me this fight. I would like to fight a rematch because that was my fight. That was my fight and I gave him this opportunity to catch me. Big apologies to everyone who supports me."

It remains to be seen what the future of the 205-pound division looks like in the aftermath of UFC 327. Ulberg said post-fight that he thinks he blew out his knee, meaning a long recovery could be on the horizon and leave the weight class in limbo.

Now 1-3 in undisputed title fights, Prochazka could potentially be in line if an interim title is created, which would lead to a rematch scenario with Ulberg.

For now, though, Prochazka is set to return to the Czech Republic and is expecting the brith of his daughter any day now.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Jiri Prochazka wants Carlos Ulberg rematch after UFC 327: 'That was my fight'