Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but explicitly refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Meanwhile, Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, traveled to his training camp for sparring sessions with video evidence of the results. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants 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 emotionally with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss, and footage emerged of a past collegiate wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit.
Kevin Holland has publicly ruled out a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he expressed a desire to settle other scores on his record. The statement draws a clear line under one of the more lopsided recent results in the welterweight division and shifts attention to what Holland might pursue next.
Separately, Brendan Allen made a notable move by traveling to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions, with video footage of the sessions circulating online. Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, had previously gone on record claiming he would dominate Chimaev. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC carries a 26-7 record and is one of the busier grapplers in his weight class, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The footage adds an interesting dimension to those earlier claims.
Carlos Ulberg used recent momentum to call for a title fight against Magomed Ankalaev, framing the bout as his preferred first defense should he hold championship gold. Paulo Costa, meanwhile, has climbed to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings despite competing primarily at middleweight. The Brazilian, nicknamed The Eraser, carries a 16-4 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that would translate as genuine threat at 205 pounds. Costa called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight, an unusual cross-divisional callout.
Sean O'Malley has been vocal about being emotionally affected by the recent loss suffered by Jiri Prochazka. The Czech light heavyweight contender, ranked second at 205 pounds, holds a 32-6-1 record and is known for an aggressive output of 5.69 significant strikes per minute with an 80-inch reach. Footage also emerged of a past collegiate wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, resurfacing ahead of what appears to be a busy period of roster activity in the heavier divisions.
Why it matters
- Holland's Chimaev refusal narrows the field of potential opponents for one of welterweight's most dangerous fighters
- Allen's camp visit puts his earlier Chimaev callout under direct scrutiny
- Costa's move to seventh at light heavyweight and his Hokit callout signals a potential divisional shift for a proven top-ten middleweight
