Khamzat Chimaev is conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen as part of his training camp. The sparring is taking place in preparation for Chimaev's upcoming fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. This training footage was captured by photographer Bear Degidio. Allen, a UFC middleweight contender, is serving as a sparring partner for Chimaev's camp. The collaboration suggests Chimaev is seeking high-level training partners as he prepares for the Strickland matchup.
Khamzat Chimaev has been spotted sparring with UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen as his training camp for UFC 328 ramps up, with footage of the sessions captured by photographer Bear Degidio. Chimaev is set to face Sean Strickland at the event on May 9, 2026.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and sits as the number-one ranked middleweight in the UFC, also holding a spot at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates and training out of Allstars Training Center is one of the most physically imposing fighters in the division at six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach. His statistical profile is built heavily around grappling dominance, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 60 percent.
Allen, ranked fifth in the middleweight division, brings serious credentials to the sparring room. The 30-year-old American out of Kill Cliff FC holds a 26-7-0 record and offers a well-rounded threat, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, with a striking accuracy of 53 percent. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he is a physical match for Chimaev and represents the kind of high-level opposition that would sharpen a camp for a championship fight.
Chimaev's opponent, reigning middleweight champion Sean Strickland, comes in at 31-7-0. The 35-year-old from Xtreme Couture is one of the division's most relentless pressure strikers, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and carries a six-foot-one frame with a 76-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is challenging reigning middleweight champion Strickland, making this one of the most high-stakes bouts on the 2026 calendar
- Allen's combination of grappling and striking mirrors threats Chimaev could face, making him a logical camp choice
- The number-one contender pulling in a top-five fighter as a sparring partner signals Chimaev and his team are treating this camp with full seriousness
Saturday, May 9, 2026
