Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses, but explicitly refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, traveled to Chimaev's camp for sparring sessions, with video footage available. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to fight Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa moved up to number 7 in the light heavyweight rankings and called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly struggling with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss.
Kevin Holland has made clear he has no interest in a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he says he intends to settle other scores on his record. The remarks, along with several other social media developments across the roster, have generated discussion heading into the week of April 14, 2026.
Holland's stance stands in contrast to Brendan Allen, who previously insisted he would dominate Chimaev and has since backed up that confidence in an unusual way. The fifth-ranked middleweight traveled directly to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions, with video footage circulating to document the visit. Allen, a 30-year-old American fighting out of Kill Cliff FC, carries a 26-7 record and brings genuine grappling credentials to that kind of challenge, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a 53 percent striking accuracy.
At light heavyweight, Carlos Ulberg has gone public with his ambition to face Magomed Ankalaev in what would be his first title defense, a call-out that immediately raises the stakes in an already loaded division. Sitting at number two in those same rankings is Jiri Prochazka, the 33-year-old Czech standout from Jetsaam Gym Brno who holds a 32-6-1 record and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at a 55 percent clip. Sean O'Malley is reportedly unsettled by Prochazka's recent loss, though the nature of that reaction has not been elaborated upon officially.
Paulo Costa has climbed to number seven in the light heavyweight rankings despite being a middleweight by division, and the 35-year-old Brazilian known as The Eraser has used the attention to call out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt contest. Costa owns a 16-4 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the more prolific volume strikers on either roster.
Why it matters
- Holland's Chimaev refusal narrows the available matchmaking paths for one of the division's most anticipated potential rematches
- Allen sparring inside Chimaev's own camp adds an unusual public dimension to a rivalry built largely on social media claims
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev signals the light heavyweight title picture is beginning to crystallize around a specific next defense
- Costa's cross-divisional BMF callout keeps a high-profile name active in the news cycle despite middleweight ranking stagnation
