Kevin Holland stated he wants to avenge his losses but refuses any proposal to rematch Khamzat Chimaev. Brendan Allen, who claimed he would dominate Chimaev, visited his training camp for sparring sessions with video footage of the results now released. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to face Magomed Ankalaev in 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 struggling to cope with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss, and vintage college wrestling footage surfaced showing Bo Nickal competing against a much slimmer Josh Hokit.
Kevin Holland has publicly shut down any possibility of a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, even as Holland acknowledged he wants to settle scores from past losses. The statement draws a firm line under what had been a simmering topic in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
Meanwhile, middleweight contender Brendan Allen made headlines by visiting a training camp for sparring sessions with Chimaev, and video footage from those sessions has now been released publicly. Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, had previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC 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. His striking output sits at 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, Carlos Ulberg has announced he wants Magomed Ankalaev as his first title defense opponent. The call-out sets up what could be a high-stakes matchup at the top of the 205-pound weight class.
Why it matters
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev immediately raises the stakes for the light heavyweight title picture, with the second-ranked Jiri Prochazka — 32-6-1, six-foot-three, with a 80-inch reach and 5.69 significant strikes landed per minute — also lurking as a potential challenger following his recent loss
- Paulo Costa, now ranked seventh at light heavyweight despite competing at middleweight, has called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt fight, a cross-divisional callout that adds intrigue to both divisions
- Sean O'Malley's apparent distress over Prochazka's recent loss hints at personal investment in the Czech fighter's career trajectory
- Vintage college wrestling footage surfacing of Bo Nickal facing a noticeably slimmer Josh Hokit adds historical context to both men's combat sports backgrounds
