Khamzat Chimaev is conducting sparring sessions with Brendan Allen as part of his preparation for his upcoming bout against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. The training footage was captured by Bear Degidio. This sparring partnership suggests Chimaev is seeking high-level middleweight preparation for the Strickland matchup. Allen, a ranked UFC middleweight, provides quality training for Chimaev as he prepares for one of his most significant tests in the division.
Khamzat Chimaev has been spotted sparring with ranked middleweight Brendan Allen as he builds toward his fight against UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9. Training footage capturing the sessions was filmed by Bear Degidio.
Chimaev, nicknamed "Borz," enters the bout as the number-one ranked middleweight and sits at number ten in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old representing the UAE and training out of Allstars Training Center carries a 15-1-0 record and brings elite wrestling to the matchup, averaging an eye-catching 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 60 percent also ranks among the best in the division.
Allen, known as "All In," makes for a credible and demanding sparring partner. The fifth-ranked middleweight holds a 26-7-0 record and at 30 years old is firmly in his prime, training out of Kill Cliff FC. The six-foot-two American offers a physically similar frame to Strickland and brings well-rounded skills to the gym, including 1.56 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy rate of 53 percent.
Strickland, the reigning middleweight champion and the man Chimaev will face, is a 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product with a 31-7-0 record. "Tarzan" is one of the most prolific volume strikers in the division, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach and standing six-foot-one. His pressure-based orthodox style and durable chin have defined his title reign.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked contender challenging a reigning champion, making this one of the highest-stakes middleweight bouts in recent memory
- Allen's similar physical dimensions to Strickland — both six-foot-two with orthodox stances — make him a logical stylistic stand-in for camp preparation
- A Chimaev victory would elevate the pound-for-pound number-ten fighter to championship status and reshape the 185-pound division
Saturday, May 9, 2026
