Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but explicitly refused a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev in a fight, visited Chimaev's 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 called out Josh Hockit for a BMF belt fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly struggling with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss.
Kevin Holland made clear he has no interest in a second meeting with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he stated his desire to avenge previous losses on his record. Holland's refusal draws a firm line under any speculation that a Chimaev rematch could be in his future.
The news comes alongside footage from Chimaev's training camp showing Brendan Allen participating in sparring sessions there. Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, had previously gone on record claiming he would dominate Chimaev if the two ever shared a cage. 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 middleweights in the top ten, averaging 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same window. The video from camp offers an early, if informal, look at how that matchup might actually play out in practice.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, Carlos Ulberg announced he intends to make Magomed Ankalaev the target of his first title defense, setting up what could be a significant championship bout at 205 pounds.
Paulo Costa, the hard-hitting Brazilian known as The Eraser, announced a move up to light heavyweight, where he now sits seventh in the rankings. The 35-year-old, who lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute with 58 percent accuracy at middleweight, called out Josh Hockit for a BMF belt fight at the new weight class.
Why it matters
- Holland's refusal removes one potential booking for Chimaev and leaves Allen's sparring footage as a talking point with real divisional weight behind it
- Allen at five in the middleweight rankings would represent a meaningful step up for Chimaev if a formal matchup materializes
- Costa's move to light heavyweight at 16-4 reshuffles the 205-pound contender picture, with a BMF callout adding extra promotional stakes
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev immediately sets the tone for a competitive first title defense
