Kevin Holland has stated he would like to avenge his losses but refuses a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, bluntly dismissing the proposal. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev in a fight, traveled to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions, with video footage of the results now circulating. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to face Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa has risen to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings and called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly having difficulty coping with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Additionally, footage has emerged of a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, showing that Hokit was considerably leaner in his earlier years.
Kevin Holland has publicly ruled out a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, dismissing the idea bluntly while acknowledging he would like to settle other outstanding losses on his record. The comments come alongside a flurry of developments across multiple divisions, including sparring footage, a title-fight callout, and a resurfaced college wrestling clip.
Holland's refusal puts Chimaev's next opponent back in question, and it has only amplified attention on Brendan Allen, who recently traveled to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. Video of those rounds has begun circulating online. Allen, who had previously stated he would dominate Chimaev in a fight, is ranked fifth in the middleweight division with a 26-7 record. The 30-year-old American, who trains out of Kill Cliff FC, brings a well-rounded game to the mat, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
In the light heavyweight division, Carlos Ulberg has announced he wants Magomed Ankalaev as the opponent for his first title defense, setting up what could be a significant matchup at the top of the 205-pound rankings.
Meanwhile, Paulo Costa has made a notable jump in the rankings, now sitting seventh in the light heavyweight division despite being listed as a middleweight competitor. The Brazilian, nicknamed "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record and one of the sharpest striking outputs in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. Costa has called out Josh Hokit for a BMF title fight, adding an unusual wrinkle to that division's landscape.
Why it matters
- Allen's sparring visit to Chimaev's camp, combined with Holland's refusal, positions Allen as a credible next opponent for Chimaev
- Ulberg naming Ankalaev as his preferred first title defense challenger sets a clear course for the light heavyweight title picture
- Costa's callout of Hokit for a BMF fight, paired with resurfaced footage of a college wrestling match between Nickal and Hokit, adds color to an already crowded narrative around that belt
