Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but refuses any rematch proposal against Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, visited his training camp for sparring sessions, with results shown on video. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to face Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa moved up to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings and challenged for the BMF belt. Sean O'Malley was shown struggling emotionally with Jiri Prochazka's recent defeat. Archival footage surfaced of a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, with Hokit appearing much leaner at the time.
Kevin Holland has made clear he has no interest in a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he expressed a desire to settle other scores on his record. The declaration came amid a flurry of social media activity and public statements from several fighters across the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions.
Brendan Allen, the fifth-ranked middleweight, drew attention after visiting Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions, with footage from the sessions circulating online. Allen had previously gone on record claiming he would dominate Chimaev. The 30-year-old American, who fights out of Kill Cliff FC, carries a 26-7 record and is one of the more well-rounded grapplers in the division, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per fifteen minutes alongside a 53 percent striking accuracy.
Carlos Ulberg used the moment to insert himself into the light heavyweight title picture, publicly calling out Magomed Ankalaev for what would be Ankalaev's first defense of the championship. The callout adds another name to what is shaping up to be a crowded divisional queue.
Paulo Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight, drew notice after moving up to seventh in the light heavyweight standings while also positioning himself as a challenger for the BMF belt. The Brazilian carries a 16-4 record and brings elite striking output, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy across his career.
Sean O'Malley was shown in footage appearing visibly affected by the recent defeat of Jiri Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight from the Czech Republic. Prochazka, who holds a 32-6-1 record and has one of the more dynamic striking profiles in the division at 5.69 significant strikes per minute with an 80-inch reach, remains a significant figure in the weight class despite the loss.
Why it matters
- Holland's refusal closes the door on a Chimaev rematch at welterweight, reshaping both men's immediate futures
- Ulberg's callout puts public pressure on Ankalaev to name his first title defense
- Costa's divisional move signals ambition beyond middleweight and adds a high-volume striker to the light heavyweight mix
