Khamzat Chimaev published another clip of his sparring session with Brendan Allen, showing dominant exchanges. Chimaev also responded to Ronda Rousey's recent criticism of the UFC, saying there would be no Ronda without the UFC and expressing frustration at what he called ingratitude. He questioned how much she earned as an Olympic champion compared to her UFC career earnings. Jan Blachowicz underwent successful knee surgery. Arman Tsarukyan claimed RAF's valuation increased from 15 million to 110 million after his three fights. Francis Ngannou discussed what he sees as the main mistake of modern fighters: fear of being released from contracts and signing unfavorable deals as a result.
Khamzat Chimaev stirred up social media activity on April 24 by posting another sparring clip featuring middleweight contender Brendan Allen while also firing back at Ronda Rousey over her recent public criticism of the UFC.
The sparring footage showed Chimaev, the number-one ranked middleweight and number-ten pound-for-pound fighter, controlling exchanges against Allen in what appeared to be a dominant display. Chimaev, 32, represents the UAE under the Allstars Training Center banner and carries a 15-1 record. He averages 4.04 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy, and his grappling numbers are among the most imposing in the division at 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Allen, ranked fifth at middleweight, brings his own credentials into the gym. The 30-year-old American from Kill Cliff FC holds a 26-7 record and lands 3.59 significant strikes per minute at 53 percent accuracy, while averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes — making him a legitimate measuring stick for any middleweight.
Chimaev also addressed Rousey's complaints about the promotion directly, arguing that the UFC was responsible for making her a global star and expressing clear frustration at what he described as ingratitude. He questioned how much she earned as an Olympic champion before her UFC career compared to what the organization ultimately provided her. Rousey, now 39, finished her UFC tenure with a 12-2 record and remains one of the most decorated fighters in the promotion's history, averaging an extraordinary 4.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout her career.
Why it matters
- Chimaev sharing sparring footage with a top-five middleweight signals active preparation and keeps his name prominent at the top of the division.
- His public comments on Rousey add to a broader ongoing conversation about fighter pay and loyalty to the UFC.
- Jan Blachowicz's successful knee surgery, Arman Tsarukyan's claims about his team's rising valuation, and Francis Ngannou's remarks on contract fear all point to fighter empowerment and business awareness becoming increasingly central topics across the sport.
