Khamzat Chimaev is conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen as part of his training camp for UFC 328. Chimaev is scheduled to face Sean Strickland at the upcoming event. The sparring footage was shared by Bear Degidio. Allen, a middleweight contender, is serving as a training partner for Chimaev's preparation. This gives insight into Chimaev's camp activities leading up to one of his biggest fights.
Khamzat Chimaev is deep in preparation for his UFC 328 middleweight title challenge, with footage shared by Bear Degidio showing the top-ranked contender putting in sparring rounds alongside Brendan Allen ahead of the May 9 showdown with Sean Strickland.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," carries a 15-1-0 record and sits at number one in the middleweight rankings, with a pound-for-pound ranking of tenth. The 32-year-old, who competes out of Allstars Training Center and represents the United Arab Emirates, is one of the division's most complete threats. He lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate and averages a remarkable 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes, underlining just how dangerous he is across all phases of a fight.
Allen brings genuine divisional credibility to the training camp. The fifth-ranked middleweight holds a 26-7-0 record and fights out of Kill Cliff FC. At six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, the 30-year-old American is a natural fit as a sparring partner for Chimaev given their matching physical dimensions. Allen averages 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving Chimaev live looks at elite grappling pressure.
Standing across from Chimaev on fight night will be Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion. "Tarzan" owns a 31-7-0 record and is known for relentless forward pressure, averaging 6.04 significant strikes per minute out of an orthodox stance. The 35-year-old trains at Xtreme Couture and measures six-foot-one with a 76-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is challenging for the middleweight title, and the quality of his sparring partners signals a serious camp
- Allen's top-five divisional ranking and active grappling style make him a credible and relevant training partner
- The matchup pits the division's most feared wrestler against a champion who absorbs and returns volume at an elite rate
Saturday, May 9, 2026
