What’s happening with the UFC’s light heavyweight division? Despite the rematch between the champion, Magomed Ankalaev, and Alex Pereira being priority numero uno, it seems to be mired in uncertainty due to ‘Poatan’s unavailability. When the opportunity then fell on Czech star Jiri Prochazka‘s lap, he let that title shot slip away due to certain academic obligations, putting Dana White in a difficult position.
Magomed Ankalaev already took shots at Alex Pereira after the latter declined to fight during International Fight Week at UFC 317, which is the flagship annual event of the promotion. He saved the same event last year, but wasn’t willing to step up this year, and he didn’t even disclose any proper reason other than that he won’t be able to compete in a little over a month. As Ankalaev claimed Pereira was reluctant to butt heads once again, Jiri Prochazka added more misery to the reigning champion. But who would have thought Prochazka would let a title shot slide over academia?
Jiri’s manager pointed out that some of his previous fights were short-notice scraps. As such, Prochazka wants to recover and rest his body until he feels ready to step inside the Octagon again. “He’s doing his exams. That’s legit. He’s deferred them so many times. Like, man, ‘I can’t defer this exam…’ So, he wants to finish the exams. But also, he’s done a lot of short-notice stuff for them before,” ‘The Czech Samurai’s manager said during a recent interview.
All of this has put Magomed Ankalaev in a frustrating state, and he sounded off on both Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka on social media. With no fight in sight, the light heavyweight champion has put forth a request to Dana White for any opponent for his first title defense sooner rather than later. “Alex Pereira don’t want the Ank anymore. Let’s leave him alone because I’m not a bully. Fake ninja he said he have to go back to school because he cannot read. [Dana White] [Mick Maynard] give me some fish.”
Alex Pereira don’t want the Ank anymore. Let’s leave him alone because I’m not a bully:
Fake ninja he said he have to go back to school because he cannot read @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 give me some fish
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) May 18, 2025
In the quest for an opponent for his lightweight title defense, Magomed Ankalaev has now issued an open challenge to whoever wants to step up. Well, he did have a response to his challenge, but it wasn’t from a 205-pounder; instead, a heavyweight fighter.
Heavyweight fighter wants Magomed Ankalaev
The heavyweight division is currently in a state of stagnancy, especially because the undisputed and interim championships aren’t being unified, which is what the fans are calling for. While the Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall drama continues, Jailton Almeida, who was also hoping to fight for the title with an 8-1 record, is considering making a jump down in the weight class as he called out Magomed Ankalaev recently.
“Hey champ, I accept the challenge, I’m willing to go down against [you] and fight you for the title,” ‘Malhadinho’ wrote on X, “Alex always fought with short notice, he is too big for do that again, he dont need it. Lets go! Do you accept? I promise im not gonna take you down, only strike.” This seems like an interesting matchup, but will Magomed Ankalaev take the risk of fighting a much heavier opponent in his weight class?
Well, that remains to be seen. Dana White has been dropping exciting fight announcements after UFC 315. And considering the current stars under the UFC’s belt, not many are bigger than an Alex Pereira announcement. International Fight Week will see Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria trade leather for the vacant lightweight championship. That means Magomed Ankalaev could return on the Abu Dhabi card, on home soil for him, and likely against a well-rested and well-prepared Pereira. What do you think? Should White put the next candidate available in front of ‘Big Ank’? Or should he wait for crowd-pullers like Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira to come back? Let us know in the comments.
The post Magomed Ankalaev Puts Dana White in the Hot Seat as Alex Pereira, Jiri Prochazka Fights Fall Through appeared first on EssentiallySports.
