Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who claimed he would dominate Chimaev, visited his training camp for sparring sessions, with video footage showing the results. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to face Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa has risen to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings and called out for a BMF title fight. Sean O'Malley is having difficulty dealing with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Video also surfaced of a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, showing Hokit was much leaner in those days.
Kevin Holland has made clear he has no interest in a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he says avenging past losses remains a priority. Meanwhile, Carlos Ulberg has set his sights on Magomed Ankalaev for his first UFC light heavyweight title defense, and Paulo Costa has called for a BMF title fight following a rise to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings.
Holland's stance comes amid renewed attention on Chimaev after fifth-ranked middleweight Brendan Allen paid a visit to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. Video footage from those sessions circulated online. Allen, 30, carries a 26-7 record and fights out of Kill Cliff FC. The American had previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, and his willingness to back that up in the gym drew significant attention. Allen averages 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete grapplers in the middleweight division.
Paulo Costa, the Brazilian striker nicknamed "The Eraser," holds a 16-4 record and competes primarily at middleweight, where he is ranked thirteenth. His call for a BMF fight is notable given his output: Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, among the highest rates in the sport. The verified data places him seventh in the light heavyweight rankings at the time of his callout.
Elsewhere, second-ranked light heavyweight Jiri Prochazka, 33, of the Czech Republic carries a 32-6-1 record and is coming off a recent loss. Sean O'Malley has reportedly been vocal about struggling to process that defeat. Prochazka lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute with a 55 percent accuracy rate and possesses an 80-inch reach, making his returns to form always consequential for the division.
Why it matters
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev shapes the immediate future of the light heavyweight title picture
- Allen's Chimaev camp visit adds real friction to a potential middleweight matchup
- Costa's cross-divisional BMF callout and ranking movement at 185 and 205 complicate matchmaking in both weight classes
- Prochazka's loss reshuffles contender positioning behind Ulberg
