Joe Rogan has rejected Jiri Prochazka's explanation for his UFC 327 knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg, arguing that while he understands the former champion's perspective, the excuse does not hold up.
Prochazka lost the vacant light heavyweight title to Ulberg at UFC 327 in Miami after being knocked out by a left hook from his injured opponent. Ulberg had suffered a torn ACL during the fight but still managed to land the finishing blow. Prochazka initially attributed the loss to showing mercy, but later clarified that he believed the referee was about to stop the fight due to Ulberg's knee injury.
On his podcast, Rogan addressed both sides of the situation and ultimately reached the same conclusion as other analysts who have weighed in.
You've got to look at it two ways, one you've got to look at it from Jiri's perspective, he had it there, the fight was over, he was hurt," Rogan said. "But you look at it from Carlos' perspective. Carlos Ulberg was hurt, he can't move his leg, they're probably gonna stop it in between rounds. Then boom, he clips him with a left hook.
He was direct about where the responsibility lies.
He clearly did get upset, I really do think that he got upset. It doesn't matter, Carlos got him, he f---ed up, it's part of fighting, you have to be ruthless.
Rogan also acknowledged the emotional complexity of the result without letting it change his verdict.
Yeah, I felt bad for Jiri but I felt great for Carlos at the same time. It's like, I get it, it's a hard pill to swallow, I get it, you did back off but he found a way to win in the most spectacular way possible. I understand his perspective that he did f--- up and he could've attacked and been smarter but you can't have that excuse.
Ulberg is currently recovering from knee surgery in Las Vegas and is not expected to return to competition until 2027.
