Khamzat Chimaev spars with Brendan Allen ahead of Sean Strickland fight

Footage captured by photographer Bear Degidio has surfaced showing Khamzat Chimaev sparring with fellow middleweight Brendan Allen as the undefeated contender sharpens his preparation for UFC 328 on May 9, where he will face champion Sean Strickland.

Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," enters the bout as the number-one ranked middleweight and sits at number 10 in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center carries a 15-1 record and brings some of the most ferocious grappling output in the division, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 60 percent makes him a threat on the feet as well.

Allen made the trip to camp to serve as a sparring partner, a logical choice given his standing as the fifth-ranked middleweight. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC holds a 26-7 record and offers well-rounded tools, including a takedown rate of 1.56 per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, his physical profile closely mirrors Chimaev's own dimensions.

Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, brings a 31-7 record and an elite output on the feet, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute. The 35-year-old orthodox fighter out of Xtreme Couture stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and will look to use his high-volume striking to counter whatever Chimaev brings on May 9.

Why it matters

• Chimaev is the number-one ranked middleweight challenging a champion, making UFC 328 a title fight with clear divisional consequences
• Allen at number five provides a high-level, stylistically relevant sparring look given his grappling and submission activity
• Strickland's volume striking versus Chimaev's wrestling and submission pressure creates a compelling style contrast at the top of the division