Jiri Prochazka actually didn’t have an issue with Magomed Ankalaev till the brand new mild heavyweight champion took a shot at him simply hours after beating Alex Pereira within the UFC 313 foremost occasion.
As a former champion and perennial contender within the division, Prochazka was clearly invested within the end result of the struggle and he truly despatched a congratulations to Ankalaev whereas including that he used “lovely strain” to stifle Pereira and even when “most individuals don’t prefer it … you gained the title for now.”
After Prochazka then steered leaping proper right into a title shot for his subsequent struggle, Ankalaev responded by calling him a “horrible fighter” and a “fraud” and saying “so many guys deserve it greater than you — you might want to go win some fights.”
This man is a horrible fighter
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 9, 2025
I believe you’re a fraud and so many guys deserve it greater than you you might want to go win some fights
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) March 9, 2025
“I like all of the individuals besides him,” Prochazka stated on the Ariel Helwani Show. “He’s an excessive amount of, [especially] his final tweet on me.”
Prochazka took offense to the message from Ankalaev however he was particularly upset with the tone after he apparently bumped into the Russian not that way back and the assembly was nothing however cordial.
That apparently modified after Ankalaev turned champion and now he’s undoubtedly rubbed Prochazka the incorrect manner.
“He don’t know me, I don’t know him personally,” Prochazka stated. “One factor what I can say to Ankalaev, he can assume no matter he desires however I do know that the one one who’s a fraud is him. As a result of after I met him on the UFC Efficiency Institute in Las Vegas, he was there, he was very good, he was pleasant [saying] ‘hey, good to satisfy you, all good’ and proper now he’s a celebrity and an enormous gangster.
“Proper now, he’s enjoying this sport and he’s hyped and I perceive. He gained the title towards the worst efficiency [from] Alex Pereira. Solely [fraudulent] individual right here is Magomed Ankalaev.”
So far as answering Ankalaev’s criticism, Prochazka is fast to level out that he’s constructed a powerful resume ever since arriving within the UFC together with his solely losses coming in a pair of fights towards Pereira.
Exterior of that Prochazka turned UFC champion in simply his third struggle with the promotion whereas racking up a powerful six post-fight bonuses alongside the best way.
“[I’m] the worst fighter? Each time, I’m giving all the pieces to my fights,” Prochazka stated. “Each time I’m going to complete my opponent and to provide all of it in my fights. Not like him.
“When he’s combating, many instances within the second or third spherical when it’s a excessive efficiency, he’s making an attempt to a bit bit run out from the efficiency, from the attacking, from the aggressive assaults. That provides me just one that means. Solely [fraudulent] individual right here is Magomed Ankalaev.”
It’s clear that Ankalaev’s phrases obtained beneath his pores and skin however Prochazka guarantees he’s not all that upset as a lot because it’s simply added extra motivation to get that struggle so he can take one other shot at changing into a champion once more.
Prochazka might not like Ankalaev very a lot however in the end it’s the title round his waist that the 32-year-old veteran from the Czech Republic desires greater than some confrontation over the web.
“I don’t care about this man,” Prochazka stated. “I simply need to go and take a title. It doesn’t matter about him. Proper now, he’s the champion however I believe no one likes that and no one respects that he’s the champion.”
So far as his need to run it again with Pereira once more, which was Prochazka’s instant suggestion after UFC 313 ended, he’s up for that as properly however Ankalaev is his new precedence for now.
“I don’t need to be caught in some feelings like I would like Alex in each manner!” Prochazka stated. “For me, I’m OK. I do know I’ll meet Alex a 3rd time for 100% in mild heavyweight, I’m positive. However proper now, I’ll do no matter is critical to catch Ankalaev.”