Kevin Holland stated he always wants to avenge his losses except against Khamzat Chimaev, emphatically refusing any rematch proposition. Meanwhile, Brendan Allen, who had previously claimed he would dominate Hamzat in a fight, traveled to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions with results shown on video. Carlos Ulberg announced he wants to fight Magomed Ankalaev in his first title defense. Paulo Costa, now ranked seventh at light heavyweight, called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt fight. Sean O'Malley is reportedly having difficulty processing Jiri Prochazka's recent loss. Video also surfaced of a college wrestling match between Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit, showing Hokit was considerably leaner in his wrestling days.
Kevin Holland made clear this week that while he is willing to chase rematches for most of his losses, Khamzat Chimaev is the one exception — and he wants no part of a second fight with the Chechen-Swedish contender.
The Holland news arrived alongside a notable development involving Brendan Allen, the fifth-ranked middleweight. Allen had previously stated he believed he would dominate Chimaev in a fight, but footage surfaced showing the 30-year-old American actually traveled to Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. Allen carries a 26-7 record and is one of the more well-rounded middleweights in the division, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes while landing 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy. How those sessions went remains a talking point given the video evidence now in circulation.
Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, Carlos Ulberg announced that Magomed Ankalaev is his preferred opponent for a first title defense. That declaration adds clarity to a crowded 205-pound picture that also includes Jiri Prochazka, currently ranked second at light heavyweight. The 33-year-old Czech fighter carries a 32-6-1 record and produces one of the most aggressive output rates in the division at 5.69 significant strikes per minute with 55 percent accuracy. Sean O'Malley was reported to be struggling to come to terms with Prochazka's recent loss, though no further details were provided.
Paulo Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight despite the verified data placing him at light heavyweight in division terms, called out Josh Hokit for a BMF belt contest. The Brazilian holds a 16-4 record and lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a sharp 58 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the higher-volume strikers in his weight class.
Why it matters
- Holland's blanket refusal of a Chimaev rematch effectively closes that door at middleweight
- Allen's sparring trip complicates his earlier confident claims about matching up with Chimaev
- Ulberg targeting Ankalaev and Costa calling out Hokit signal a busy stretch ahead for the 205-pound and BMF conversations
