Khamzat Chimaev spars with Brendan Allen ahead of UFC 328 bout

Footage has emerged of Khamzat Chimaev sparring with Brendan Allen during his training camp ahead of the middleweight title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026.

Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carries a 15-1-0 record and competes out of Allstars Training Center. The 32-year-old, who represents the United Arab Emirates, is known for his smothering grappling output, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.8 submission attempts in the same span. He also lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate, among the highest in the division.

Allen, the man brought in as a sparring partner, is no stranger to high-level middleweight competition. The 30-year-old American trains with Kill Cliff FC and holds a 26-7-0 record, currently sitting fifth in the divisional rankings. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen brings well-rounded credentials to camp, averaging 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts, making him a useful wrestling and grappling reference point for Chimaev's preparation.

Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, will be waiting on the other side of those preparations. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and owns a 31-7-0 record. He is a high-volume striker, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, though he relies less on the grappling game that defines his challenger.

Why it matters

• Chimaev faces the middleweight champion, making this one of the most significant bouts of his career to date.
• Allen's ranking and grappling credentials make him a credible and specific sparring choice for simulating elements of Strickland's style and physicality.
• A Chimaev win would hand him the middleweight title and further cement his pound-for-pound standing.