Khamzat Chimaev is conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen in preparation for his upcoming bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The training footage was captured by Bear Degidio. This shows Chimaev working with a fellow UFC middleweight to sharpen his skills before the high-profile matchup. Allen's involvement suggests Chimaev is seeking quality sparring partners at his weight class. The post confirms active training camp progress for the scheduled event.
Khamzat Chimaev has been spotted sparring with fellow middleweight Brendan Allen as he builds toward his UFC 328 showdown against Sean Strickland, with training footage captured by Bear Degidio confirming the camp is well underway ahead of the May 9 card.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and sits at number one in the middleweight rankings, also appearing at number ten in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old representing the UAE and training out of Allstars Training Center is one of the most physically dominant fighters in the division, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 60 percent of his significant strikes — a remarkable accuracy figure at his volume.
Allen is no journeyman sparring partner. The 30-year-old American, who trains with Kill Cliff FC, holds a 26-7-0 record and is ranked fifth in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he offers Chimaev a size-appropriate and technically capable training partner. Allen lands strikes at a 53 percent accuracy rate and averages 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a credible test across multiple facets of the game.
The man waiting for Chimaev at UFC 328 is middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who defends a 31-7-0 record. "Tarzan" is a relentless output fighter, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute for Xtreme Couture. The 35-year-old orthodox striker stands six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach and has held the middleweight throne through high-volume, pressure-based boxing.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's use of a top-five ranked middleweight in Allen signals serious preparation for the most important fight of his career.
- A Chimaev win would hand him the UFC middleweight title and likely push him deep into the pound-for-pound rankings.
- The stylistic matchup pits Chimaev's elite grappling and accuracy against Strickland's unrelenting striking volume and durability.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
