Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but categorically refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who 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 for his first title defense. Paulo Costa moved up to number seven in the light heavyweight rankings and called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly struggling to cope with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss, and footage surfaced of a collegiate wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit from their earlier days.
Kevin Holland made clear he has no interest in a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he expressed a desire to settle other scores from his career. The welterweight veteran's comments came amid a flurry of callouts and roster movement that has stirred up the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions alike.
Brendan Allen backed up his bold words about Chimaev with action, visiting the Chechen fighter's training camp for sparring sessions — footage of which circulated publicly. Allen, ranked fifth at middleweight and carrying a 26-7 record, has been among the most vocal in claiming he would handle Chimaev with ease. The 30-year-old American out of Kill Cliff FC averages 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him the grappling credentials to at least make the argument credible.
Carlos Ulberg has set his sights on Magomed Ankalaev for what would be his first light heavyweight title defense, calling out the Russian contender by name. The champion's stated preference could shape the top of a division where Jiri Prochazka, ranked second, carries a 32-6-1 record and lands 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. Prochazka's standing at the summit of the rankings remains relevant as the title picture develops, and reports surfaced that Sean O'Malley has been affected by the Czech fighter's recent loss.
Paulo Costa meanwhile made a cross-divisional move of a different kind. The 35-year-old Brazilian, ranked 13th at middleweight with a 16-4 record, shifted up to number seven in the light heavyweight rankings and called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt fight. Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, one of the higher output rates in the sport. Adding a layer of backstory to that callout, old footage emerged of a collegiate wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Hokit, a reminder of how long some of these rivalries and connections have been forming beneath the surface.
Why it matters
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev gives the light heavyweight title picture a clear frontrunner for the next defense
- Holland's Chimaev refusal removes one high-profile rematch from the welterweight conversation
- Costa's move to light heavyweight at number seven immediately shakes up divisional rankings in two weight classes
