Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but explicitly refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who previously 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 in 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 having difficulty dealing with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss, and footage surfaced of a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, showing Hokit was much leaner in his earlier days.
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 welterweight contender made clear that while avenging past losses remains a priority, Chimaev is not a fight he is willing to revisit.
Elsewhere in the news cycle, Brendan Allen visited Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions, with footage of the sessions circulating online. Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division at 30 years old, carries a 26-7 record and has previously spoken confidently about his ability to compete with Chimaev. The American fighter out of Kill Cliff FC averages 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more well-rounded grapplers in the 185-pound division.
Carlos Ulberg separately announced his intention to face Magomed Ankalaev in his first light heavyweight title defense, setting up what could be a significant test for the new champion.
Paulo Costa, the Brazilian striker known as The Eraser, has moved up to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings despite competing at middleweight, and has called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight. At 35 years old with a 16-4 record, Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, making him one of the most aggressive volume strikers in the sport. The callout adds an unexpected dimension to the BMF title picture.
Adding context to the Hokit conversation, footage from a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit surfaced, offering a glimpse at Hokit's earlier career and notably leaner physical frame compared to his current build.
Sean O'Malley also drew attention after expressing difficulty processing Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. The Czech light heavyweight, ranked second in the division at 33 years old, holds a 32-6-1 record and averages a striking output of 5.69 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Holland's Chimaev refusal signals ongoing friction in the welterweight division without producing a clear next matchup
- Costa's move to light heavyweight rankings and BMF callout could shake up two divisions simultaneously
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev immediately raises the stakes of the new champion's first defense
