Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, came to train at Chimaev's camp and the sparring results were captured on video. Carlos Ulberg declared 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 to cope with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss, and footage surfaced of Bo Nickal wrestling Josh Hokit in college when Hokit was considerably leaner.
Kevin Holland has made clear he will not pursue a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as he says he intends to settle other scores on his record. Meanwhile, Carlos Ulberg has publicly called for a title shot against Magomed Ankalaev, and Paulo Costa has shifted his attention to the light heavyweight division with a callout of his own.
Holland's refusal to revisit the Chimaev matchup comes as an unusual subplot emerged around that rivalry. Brendan Allen, the number-five ranked middleweight who had previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, traveled to train at Chimaev's camp, and video footage of the sparring sessions has since surfaced online. Allen carries a 26-7 record and brings a well-rounded game to the mat, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making his decision to enter Chimaev's training environment a notable one.
New Zealand's Carlos Ulberg, who competes at light heavyweight, has declared that Magomed Ankalaev should be his first opponent in a title defense, signaling ambition at the top of a stacked 205-pound division.
Paulo Costa has added another layer of intrigue to the light heavyweight picture. The Brazilian striker, ranked 13th at middleweight and now apparently eyeing a move to 205 pounds, has called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight after climbing to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings. Costa carries a 16-4 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him a dangerous presence at any weight class.
Elsewhere, Sean O'Malley has been vocal about his reaction to Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight in the world at 33 years old, owns a 32-6-1 record and an 80-inch reach that makes him one of the most distinctive fighters on the roster. Footage has also emerged of Bo Nickal wrestling Josh Hokit during their college days, with Hokit appearing noticeably leaner than he does today.
Why it matters
- Holland's Chimaev refusal reshapes the middleweight contender picture
- Allen entering Chimaev's camp suggests he may be closer to that matchup than his comments implied
- Costa's light heavyweight callout adds a high-profile name to an already crowded divisional landscape
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev sets up a potential marquee title defense at 205 pounds
