Brendan Allen has been serving as a key training partner for middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev ahead of UFC 328, where Chimaev defends his title against Sean Strickland on May 9 in Newark, N.J.
Allen, who was stopped by Strickland in a 2020 catchweight bout, has been working with Chimaev in Newport Beach, Calif., and came away impressed with the champion’s skill set. “I think Khamzat is too skilled,” Allen said while assessing the matchup.
Allen did not hold back when describing his former opponent. “Sean's kind of a one-trick pony, kind of lazy, doesn't really possess a crazy amount of skill. He's just super awkward when you're in there with him, and if you never experienced that, then it's a shock.”
“But I think Khamzat's too skilled. I think he's going to be too skilled. Now he's older, he's smarter, he's wiser with his mentality, with his emotions, and his skill level. I think he's going to be too much for Sean, and I think how he approaches the fight is going to shock a lot of people,” Allen added.
Beyond the title-fight preparation, Allen called the experience invaluable for his own career as he heads toward a bout with Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Fight Night 278 on June 6 in Las Vegas. “It's been a great opportunity,” Allen said. “It's been a great experience. I've learned a lot, had a lot of good gos, and what a way for me to jump into camp than finishing it up with the champ at the end of his camp. So great experience, the team was great, creating a bond with Khamzat was great. He's a good friend to me now, and I look forward to the future.”
