Brendan Allen traveled to Khamzat Chimaev's training camp for sparring sessions. Video footage of the sparring session was shared. The visit comes after Allen previously made statements about dominating Chimaev in a fight. The post suggests the sparring results were noteworthy. Allen's decision to train with Chimaev provides insight into cross-training among UFC middleweights.
Brendan Allen made his way to Khamzat Chimaev's training camp for a series of sparring sessions, with video footage of the work circulating online on April 14, 2026. The visit adds an unexpected twist given Allen's prior public statements claiming he would dominate Chimaev in a fight.
Allen, 30, enters the camp as one of the more well-rounded middleweights in the division. The American fighter out of Kill Cliff FC carries a 26-7 record and sits ranked fifth at 185 pounds. Standing six-foot-two with a 75-inch reach, he lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy and supplements his striking with 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a genuinely two-dimensional threat.
Chimaev, ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth pound-for-pound, represents a considerably steeper challenge. The 32-year-old, who competes out of Allstars Training Center under UAE affiliation, holds a 15-1 record and is regarded as one of the sport's most physically imposing fighters. His numbers reflect that reputation: 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, combined with an extraordinary 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. He shares the same six-foot-two frame and 75-inch reach as Allen.
Why it matters
- Allen's bold pre-camp statements about Chimaev now carry extra weight given the public nature of the footage
- A top-five middleweight training alongside the division's top-ranked fighter raises questions about potential future matchmaking
- The style matchup pits Allen's submission threat against Chimaev's elite grappling and takedown volume
- Cross-training between ranked middleweights could influence how both fighters approach upcoming bouts in a competitive division
