Khamzat Chimaev has been filmed 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. The footage was captured by Bear Degidio and shared publicly. This training update provides insight into Chimaev's fight preparation strategy leading up to the high-profile middleweight matchup.
Khamzat Chimaev has been spotted in sparring footage alongside Brendan Allen as he prepares for his middleweight showdown against champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9. The sessions were filmed by Bear Degidio and shared publicly, offering a rare glimpse into the Allstars Training Center product's fight camp ahead of one of the division's most anticipated bouts.
Chimaev, who fights out of the United Arab Emirates, carries a 15-1-0 record and sits at number one in the middleweight rankings, as well as tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old is one of the sport's most relentless grapplers, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate — numbers that make him a uniquely dangerous opponent at 185 pounds.
His sparring partner, Allen, is no stranger to high-level preparation. The 30-year-old Kill Cliff FC product holds a 26-7-0 record and is ranked fifth in the middleweight division. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen brings solid wrestling credentials of his own — 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes — along with a 53 percent striking accuracy and an active submission game averaging 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes, making him a credible and challenging training partner for Chimaev's camp.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, is an orthodox striker standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach. The 35-year-old Xtreme Couture fighter carries a 31-7-0 record and is among the most active strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Chimaev enters as the top-ranked middleweight challenger, making this a title fight with clear divisional stakes
- Allen's wrestling and submission volume gives Chimaev a training partner who can simulate pressure similar to Strickland's forward-moving style
- The public footage signals that Chimaev's camp is progressing ahead of the May 9 card
Saturday, May 9, 2026
