Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who claimed he would destroy Chimaev, visited his training camp for sparring sessions. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to face Magomed Ankalaev for his first title defense. Paulo Costa moved up to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings and called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight. Sean O'Malley is struggling with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Footage emerged of Bo Nickal wrestling Josh Hokit in college, showing Hokit was much slimmer at that time.
Kevin Holland has declared he is unwilling to rematch Khamzat Chimaev, even as he expressed a desire to avenge other losses on his record. The middleweight contender drew a clear line at revisiting that particular defeat, keeping the matchmaking picture at 185 pounds in motion heading into the spring of 2026.
Brendan Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, made headlines of his own by visiting Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. The 30-year-old American, who fights out of Kill Cliff FC, had previously gone on record claiming he would destroy Chimaev. Allen carries a 26-7 professional record and brings a well-rounded game to that bold claim, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 3.59 significant strikes landed per minute at 53 percent accuracy.
At light heavyweight, New Zealand's Carlos Ulberg announced he intends to make Magomed Ankalaev his first title defense opponent. Jiri Prochazka, the number-two-ranked light heavyweight from the Czech Republic, meanwhile appears to be sitting out the divisional conversation for now, with Sean O'Malley among those publicly reacting to the 33-year-old's recent loss. Prochazka holds a 32-6-1 record and owns one of the more aggressive output profiles in the division, landing 5.69 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy across his UFC tenure.
Paulo Costa adds another wrinkle to the landscape after moving to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings. The Brazilian, who carries a 16-4 record and a reputation as one of the hardest hitters in MMA — averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight despite being listed as a middleweight in the database. Separately, footage surfaced of Bo Nickal wrestling Hokit during their college days, with observers noting Hokit carried significantly less weight at that stage of his athletic career.
Why it matters
- Holland's refusal to fight Chimaev reopens middleweight booking options for both men
- Allen sparring Chimaev could signal a future matchup is being scouted from both sides
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev sets a clear direction for the light heavyweight title picture
- Costa's cross-divisional callout and Hokit's rising profile suggest a busy period ahead at 205 pounds
