Ever offered a handshake and gotten a slap in return? Or, better yet, served a toast only to have the other guy spit it out? That’s exactly the situation Jiri Prochazka finds himself in after trying to keep things respectful with Magomed Ankalaev. Only to get publicly dismissed. And just like that, the 205-pound division has fresh beef sizzling. The latest drama? A two-word insult, a fiery clapback, and Prochazka making it painfully clear that he’s gunning for Ankalaev’s head.
So, just hours after Carlos Ulberg edged out a decision win over Jan Blachowicz at UFC Fight Night 255, Ankalaev took to social media to stir the pot, throwing out a drive-by insult. “Carlos vs. fake ninja.” No names, no tags. Just a loaded comment that had Prochazka’s name written all over it. And Jiri? Oh, he wasn’t about to let it slide. He fired back on X (formerly Twitter) with, “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 let’s 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
So, heres the thing. Prochazka was never looking for beef with the current champ. In fact, after Ankalaev won the UFC 313 title against Alex Pereira, Prochazka actually congratulated him. Even was seen praising his “beautiful pressure” despite the backlash from fans. But instead of reciprocating the respect, the Dagestani flipped the script. He started with calling Prochazka a “terrible fighter,” a “fraud,” and claiming that “so many guys deserve it more than you, you need to go win some fights.” And just like that, the samurai’s patience wore thin. Has Ankalaev always been this hostile toward the Czech warrior, or is this a new side of the newly crowned champion?
Did Magomed Ankalaev’s victory change him?
Prochazka seems to think the belt might have changed him. And to make things even messier, he recalled a recent run-in with Ankalaev at the UFC Performance Institute, where the Russian was all smiles and handshakes. “When I met him in Vegas, he was very nice, very friendly ‘hello, nice to meet you, all good,’” Prochazka said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “And now he’s a superstar and a big gangster.” So it’s safe to say, the Dagestani was respectful when he had nothing to lose, but now that he’s got UFC gold, he’s talking big.
But here’s where things get interesting. Prochazka isn’t going to sit around waiting for a title shot that may take months to materialize. With ‘Poatan’ likely getting an immediate rematch, Jiri wants to stay active. And that brings us back to ‘Black Jag’, the man who just took down Blachowicz. With Ulberg climbing the ranks and Prochazka looking for a fight, the timing couldn’t be better. “I don’t want to just stay and watch and wait for the winner,” Prochazka told The Schmo. “Maybe I will fight with one of these guys, let the better man win.”
And this isn’t just a war of words. It’s personal now. Prochazka believes in honor and respect, while Ankalaev seems to have embraced the role of the villain. “It’s easy to act like a king once you have the crown,” Prochazka hinted. “But real warriors don’t change faces when the cameras turn on.”
One way or another, Prochazka is coming for Ankalaev. Whether it’s next or after another fight, he’s not letting this slide. And when they finally meet, you can bet Jiri will be ready to show exactly who the real “fraud champion” is. So, what do you think? Did Magomed Ankalaev cross the line, or is Prochazka overreacting? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Jiri Prochazka Rips ‘Fraud Champion’ Magomed Ankalaev After UFC Rival’s Two Word Insult appeared first on EssentiallySports.