Khamzat Chimaev has been filmed conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen as part of his preparation for UFC 328. Chimaev is scheduled to face Sean Strickland at the upcoming event. The training footage was captured by photographer Bear Degidio and circulated on social media. Allen is serving as a sparring partner to help Chimaev prepare for the high-profile middleweight bout. The sparring represents part of Chimaev's camp leading into one of his most significant fights to date.
Khamzat Chimaev has been spotted in sparring sessions with middleweight contender Brendan Allen as he builds his camp ahead of UFC 328 on May 9, where he is set to challenge Sean Strickland for the middleweight title. Training footage shot by photographer Bear Degidio began circulating on social media, offering an early look at Chimaev's preparation for what stands as one of the biggest bouts of his career.
Chimaev, 32, carries a 15-1 record and sits at number one in the middleweight rankings, with a pound-for-pound ranking of tenth. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, "Borz" brings elite grappling to the matchup, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing 60 percent of his significant strikes — one of the higher accuracy marks in the division.
Allen, nicknamed "All In," makes for a useful sparring partner given his own standing in the division. The 30-year-old Kill Cliff FC product ranks fifth at middleweight and holds a 26-7 record. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, Allen blends decent striking accuracy at 53 percent with a solid grappling base, averaging 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — giving Chimaev a well-rounded look in the gym.
The man waiting at UFC 328 is champion Sean Strickland, who holds a 31-7 record and defends his middleweight title at 35 years old. "Tarzan" trains out of Xtreme Couture and is one of the division's most prolific strikers, pouring out 6.04 significant strikes per minute. The six-foot-one, orthodox-stance champion carries a 76-inch reach advantage and has built his game almost entirely around relentless volume on the feet.
Why it matters
- Chimaev vs. Strickland is a No. 1 contender matchup with the middleweight title directly on the line
- Allen's combination of wrestling and striking makes him a credible simulation of Strickland's pressure style
- A win for Chimaev would deliver the first middleweight title of his career; a Strickland victory would further cement his reign against the division's top-ranked challenger
Saturday, May 9, 2026
