Jan 18, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Jiri Prochazka (red gloves) reacts after an eye poke against Jamahal Hill (not pictured) during UFC 311 at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

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Magomed Ankalaev And Jiri Prochazka Escalate Beef After UFC London

Magomed Ankalaev and Jiri Prochazka go back and forth on social media after UFC London fight card!

The light heavyweight division in the UFC has always been a hotbed for dramatic rivalries. These 205-pound warriors never fail to entertain both inside and outside the octagon. The latest chapter in this division’s colorful history involves two of its most fearsome fighters: current champion Magomed Ankalaev and former titleholder Jiri Prochazka.

Their rivalry has been simmering for months, but it reached boiling point this past weekend without either man throwing a single punch. Magomed Ankalaev recently claimed the light heavyweight title with a stunning upset over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 earlier this month. This is where the bad blood between him and Jiri started.

Also Read: Who Is Carlos Ulberg Fighting Next? Carlos Ulberg Next Fight, Last Fight, Carlos Ulberg MMA Record and More!

Magomed Ankalaev Congratulates UFC London Co-Main Event Winner

Both these fighters were locked in on the co-main event between Jan Blachowicz and Carlos Ulberg at UFC London. Ulberg emerged victorious via unanimous decision after an impressive three-round performance. This is where things got interesting. Ankalaev took to social media to congratulate Ulberg on his win, but couldn’t resist taking a shot at Prochazka as well.

“Carlos vs. Fake Ninja”

Magomed Ankalaev wants to see Jiri Prochazka vs Carlos Ulberg 👀#UFCLondon #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/VaazGFsg2h
— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) March 22, 2025

This “fake ninja” comment was a dig at Prochazka’s way of life. He is an ardent believer in the Bushido way of living. The current champion believes that this is a fake persona.

Jiri Prochazka Fires Back

Jiri Prochazka didn’t take kindly to this unprovoked mockery. The former champion fired back with a scathing response on X. He questioned whether Ankalaev even wrote the post himself or if it came from “some your slave.” He didn’t stop there, calling Ankalaev a “fraud champion” and declaring his intention to take Ankalaev’s head. The intensity of Prochazka’s response suggests this beef has deep roots and isn’t just typical fight promotion banter.

“Who wrote it, you? Or some your slave ? Here you showed to everyone who’s fraud Champion. Like I said, I want your head. If I have to go through someone else to hunt you, so Lets go for that”

Who wrote it, you? Or some your slave ?
Here you showed to everyone who’s fraud Champion.

Like I said, I want your head.
If I have to go through someone else to hunt you, so Lets go for that ⚡️ https://t.co/gNB2Frb5C1
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) March 23, 2025

Adding another layer to this developing feud is the current title picture. According to reports, Pereira is set to receive an immediate rematch against Ankalaev, which would put Prochazka’s championship aspirations temporarily on hold. Rather than waiting on the sidelines, Prochazka has expressed interest in facing whoever gets him closer to a fight with Ankalaev.

The timing of this escalating beef couldn’t be more interesting for UFC matchmakers. Prochazka is coming off an impressive third-round knockout victory over Jamahal Hill at UFC 311, which put him right back in the title conversation. With Ankalaev’s title defense against Pereira seemingly locked in, a potential showdown between these two fierce rivals could be in the works for a future championship clash!

(Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – Imagn Images)

Jiri Prochazka

Magomed Ankalaev

UFC London

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!