Jiri Prochazka was fine with Magomed Ankalaev until the new light heavyweight champion criticized him shortly after his victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 313.
Prochazka, a former titleholder and top contender, was interested in the fight’s outcome and initially congratulated Ankalaev, noting his “beautiful pressure” against Pereira. He acknowledged that while “most people don’t like it,” Ankalaev had won the title “for now.”
However, after Prochazka suggested an immediate title shot, Ankalaev retorted, calling him a “terrible fighter” and a “fraud,” adding that “so many guys deserve it more” and Prochazka needed to “go win some fights.”
“I like everyone except him,” Prochazka stated on the Ariel Helwani Show. “He is excessive, especially his recent tweet about me.”
Prochazka was offended by Ankalaev’s message, particularly because he had recently met Ankalaev at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas, and their interaction had been friendly.
This positive impression changed after Ankalaev became champion, and now Prochazka is clearly annoyed.
“He doesn’t know me, and I don’t know him personally,” Prochazka said. “But I can tell Ankalaev that he can think whatever he wants, but the only fraud is him. When I met him at the UFC Performance Institute, he was very pleasant, friendly, saying ‘hello, nice to meet you, all good.’ Now he’s a superstar and a gangster.”
“Now, he’s playing games and acting hyped, which I understand. He won the title against Alex Pereira’s worst performance. The only fraudulent person here is Magomed Ankalaev.”
In response to Ankalaev’s criticism, Prochazka emphasized his strong UFC record, with his only losses being against Pereira.
Apart from those fights, Prochazka became UFC champion in just his third promotional fight and earned six post-fight bonuses.
“[Am I] the worst fighter? I always give my all in fights,” Prochazka asserted. “I always aim to finish opponents and give everything. Unlike him.”
“In his fights, especially in the later rounds when the intensity is high, he often tries to avoid engaging, to back away from aggressive attacks. This tells me one thing: the only fraud here is Magomed Ankalaev.”
Ankalaev’s words have clearly bothered Prochazka, but he claims it’s more motivating than upsetting, fueling his desire to fight for the title again.
Prochazka may dislike Ankalaev, but his primary goal is to regain the light heavyweight championship, not engage in online arguments.
“I don’t care about this guy,” Prochazka stated. “I just want to get the title. It’s not about him. He’s the champion now, but I don’t think anyone likes or respects him as champion.”
Regarding a potential rematch with Pereira, which Prochazka initially suggested after UFC 313, he is open to it, but Ankalaev is now his main focus.
“I don’t want to be fixated on fighting Alex at all costs!” Prochazka clarified. “I’m okay with it. I know I’ll face Alex for a third time at light heavyweight, I’m sure. But right now, I’ll do whatever it takes to get to Ankalaev.”
