If Jiří Procházka was anticipating a respectful interaction with new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev, he was sorely mistaken.
Procházka, a former titleholder himself, watched on this weekend as his ex-opponent Alex Pereira returned to the cage at UFC 313 in Las Vegas for his fourth defense of the 205-pound title.
After wins over Jamahal Hill, Procházka, and Khalil Rountree Jr. in 2024 grew his stardom, “Poatan” was looking to emerge victorious from his toughest test in the division to date — a clash with the well-rounded Ankalaev.
But the Russian challenger upset the Brazilian and his sizable fanbase with an impressive performance across five rounds to wrest the gold away via unanimous decision.
Amid a mix of praise for the triumph and criticism for the manner of victory, another of the division’s top names in Procházka appeared on social media to give a congratulatory take on Ankalaev’s display.
“Congrats to @AnkalaevM, beautiful pressure. Most of people dont like it, but you won the title for now,” Procházka wrote on X, before turning his attention to Pereira. “@AlexPereiraUFC, last dance?”
While, to most, that reads as the Czech star even defending Magomed Ankalaev against the backlash his fight style continues to receive, the light heavyweight kingpin evidently doesn’t care for such praise from a rival…
“I think you are a fraud and so many guys deserve it more than you you need to go win some fights,” Magomed Ankalaev responded.
And after the ESPN MMA account reposted Procházka’s post, Ankalaev was once again close by with a puzzling insult to the Czech fan favorite.
“This guy is a terrible fighter”
It’s unclear exactly what “BJP” did to upset the newly crowned champ. He did predict defeat for the Russian if he attempted to strike with Pereira, so perhaps Magomed Ankalaev is one to hold a grudge over such remarks.
