Khamzat Chimaev was filmed sparring with Brendan Allen during a training camp session. The sparring footage emerged as Chimaev prepares for his upcoming bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Allen, a middleweight contender, traveled to the camp and ended up training with the Chechen fighter inside the cage. The session was documented by Bear Degidio and shared on social media.
Footage of Khamzat Chimaev sparring with middleweight contender Brendan Allen surfaced on April 14, offering a glimpse inside the Chechen fighter's training camp as he gears up for his clash with Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9. The session was documented by Bear Degidio and shared across social media.
Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, carries a 15-1-0 record and represents the UAE out of Allstars Training Center. The 32-year-old stands six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless grappling, averaging an exceptional 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Allen, ranked fifth at middleweight, made the trip to camp to serve as a training partner for Chimaev. The 30-year-old American, out of Kill Cliff FC, holds a 26-7-0 record and brings genuine high-level credentials to the sparring room. He lands strikes at a 53 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a credible grappling test for any fighter in the division.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, awaits Chimaev at UFC 328. The 35-year-old from Xtreme Couture owns a 31-7-0 record, stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, and is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute in a high-volume, forward-pressure style.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's choice of a top-five middleweight sparring partner signals serious preparation for the most significant fight of his career.
- Allen's grappling credentials and similar physical dimensions to Strickland make him a logical camp selection ahead of this title fight.
- A victory for Chimaev would shake up the middleweight landscape; Strickland defending would reinforce his status as one of the division's most durable champions.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
