Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) congratulated Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) for his title-winning performance against Alex Pereira in Saturday’s UFC 313 main event, and initially issued “Poatan” a challenge. He then changed his tune and said it’s a better idea to go straight for the title.

New UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev was dismissive of the striking of former champion Alex Pereira following Ankalaev's win in the UFC 313 main event.

Pereira, a former kickboxing champion, has been a phenom since joining the UFC in 2021. He won middleweight gold in 2022 before moving up to light-heavyweight and adding a second belt in 2023. Then, last year, he recorded three successful title defences with TKOs of Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree Jr.