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, traveled to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to fight Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa moved up to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings and called out for a BMF title fight. Sean O'Malley is struggling emotionally after Jiri Prochazka's loss, and footage emerged of Bo Nickal's college wrestling match against Josh Hokit.
A busy week of social media activity and training camp news has produced several noteworthy developments across multiple divisions, with fighters staking out positions on future matchups and personal rivalries.
Kevin Holland made clear he has no interest in a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, despite stating publicly that he wants to settle other losses on his record. The two have history, and while Holland's desire to avenge defeats is on the table, Chimaev is not among the opponents he is willing to revisit.
Brendan Allen, the fifth-ranked middleweight, took a different approach entirely. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC, who had previously gone on record claiming he would dominate Chimaev, traveled directly to Chimaev's training camp for sparring. 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 alongside solid striking output.
Paulo Costa, ranked 13th at middleweight but now listed seventh in the light heavyweight rankings, made noise by calling for a BMF title fight. The 35-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed The Eraser, lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that make a BMF case relatively easy to construct.
Carlos Ulberg separately announced that he wants Magomed Ankalaev as the opponent for his first light heavyweight title defense, signaling an early preference for who he faces next atop the division.
Why it matters
- Allen visiting Chimaev's camp after bold public claims adds genuine intrigue to a potential middleweight booking
- Costa's move to light heavyweight rankings and BMF callout opens a new path for a fighter who has stalled at middleweight
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev, the division's second-ranked contender with a 32-6-1 record, would be an immediate high-stakes title defense
Sean O'Malley also surfaced in the conversation, expressing an emotional reaction to Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Prochazka, the second-ranked light heavyweight from the Czech Republic, owns a 32-6-1 record and is known for extraordinary striking volume at 5.69 significant strikes per minute. Separately, footage of Bo Nickal competing in a college wrestling match against Josh Hokit circulated online.
