Khamzat Chimaev is conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen in preparation for his upcoming fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The training footage was shared by Bear Degidio. Allen, a middleweight contender, is serving as a sparring partner for Chimaev's camp. This represents part of Chimaev's preparation strategy for the high-profile Strickland matchup. The sparring session demonstrates Chimaev's active training camp ahead of the scheduled bout.
Khamzat Chimaev is deep into his preparation for UFC 328, with footage surfacing of the middleweight contender sparring alongside Brendan Allen ahead of his May 9 showdown with Sean Strickland. The training clip was shared by Bear Degidio and offers a glimpse into Chimaev's camp as he gears up for one of the division's most anticipated matchups.
Chimaev, who represents the United Arab Emirates and trains out of Allstars Training Center, carries a 15-1-0 record and holds the number-one ranking in the middleweight division, as well as a spot at number ten on the pound-for-pound list. The 32-year-old is one of the sport's most relentless grapplers, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes while posting a striking accuracy of 60 percent and landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute.
Allen, the man chosen as Chimaev's primary sparring partner, is no stranger to high-level competition. The 30-year-old American, who fights out of Kill Cliff FC, is ranked fifth in the middleweight division with a 26-7-0 record. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen brings a well-rounded game to the gym, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 53 percent. His profile makes him a credible simulation of the threats Chimaev may face on fight night.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion, enters UFC 328 at 31-7-0. The 35-year-old from the United States trains at Xtreme Couture and is known for relentless forward pressure and high output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach, Strickland presents a durable, volume-heavy challenge for any opponent.
Why it matters
- Chimaev's choice of a top-five middleweight as a sparring partner signals the seriousness of his preparation for the championship bout.
- A Chimaev victory at UFC 328 would make him the new middleweight champion and remove him from the divisional rankings entirely.
- The stylistic contrast between Chimaev's grappling dominance and Strickland's high-volume striking makes their matchup one of the more compelling style clashes in recent middleweight history.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
