Kevin Holland stated he always wants to avenge his losses but made an exception for Khamzat Chimaev, emphatically refusing a rematch opportunity. Brendan Allen, who previously claimed he would dominate Chimaev, visited Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions with results shown on video. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants Magomed Ankalaev as his opponent for his first title defense. Paulo Costa, who moved up to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings, has called out Josh Hockin for a BMF belt fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly having difficulty dealing with Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. A video emerged showing a wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hockin from their college days, with Hockin appearing significantly leaner than he is now.
Kevin Holland has publicly shut the door on a rematch with Khamzat Chimaev, while Paulo Costa has issued a callout to Josh Hockin for a BMF belt contest, headlining a busy stretch of middleweight and light heavyweight news.
Holland, speaking recently, acknowledged that he typically chases rematches after losses but made clear that Chimaev represents a firm exception. The refusal stands out given that fifth-ranked middleweight Brendan Allen had previously proclaimed he would dominate Chimaev — only for footage to surface showing Allen traveling to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. The video, which circulated online, appeared to put Allen's earlier confidence to the test.
Allen, who is 26-7 at thirty years old and fights out of Kill Cliff FC, is one of the division's more well-rounded threats. He averages 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per fifteen minutes, and his striking accuracy sits at 53 percent.
Costa, meanwhile, is pushing for a light heavyweight BMF bout against Josh Hockin. The Brazilian, nicknamed The Eraser, recently climbed to seventh in the light heavyweight rankings despite competing primarily at middleweight, where he holds a 16-4 record and is ranked thirteenth. At 35, Costa lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that reflect his aggressive, high-output style. Hockin adds an interesting footnote: video resurfaced showing him in a college wrestling match against Bo Nickal, with Hockin appearing noticeably leaner than his current frame.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, newly crowned champion Carlos Ulberg has named Magomed Ankalaev as his preferred opponent for his first title defense, while Sean O'Malley is reportedly struggling to process the recent loss suffered by Jiri Prochazka. The Czech contender, ranked second at light heavyweight, carries a 32-6-1 record and a striking output of 5.69 significant strikes per minute across a six-foot-three, 203-centimeter frame.
Why it matters
- Holland's refusal narrows the field of viable Chimaev opponents at middleweight
- Costa's divisional move to light heavyweight at seventh in the rankings could reshape crossover booking
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev sets a clear title picture at 205 pounds
- Allen's camp visit to Chimaev raises questions about his earlier bold predictions
