Brendan Allen says he will not fight Khamzat Chimaev unless a title is at stake

Brendan Allen says he and Khamzat Chimaev, his friend and former training partner, have agreed to fight each other only for a championship. Both men compete on the RAF 14 card in Las Vegas on Friday.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published Thu 22 Oct, 17:09 UK · AI-assisted reporting

Brendan Allen says he and Khamzat Chimaev have an agreement that they will not fight each other “unless it’s for gold.” Speaking on MMA Junkie Radio, Allen said a championship fight would change his life and his family's life. He said nothing would hold him back if the belt were on the line.

The two middleweights are friends only since this year. Allen had campaigned for a fight with Chimaev and talked trash about him while Chimaev held the title. He then joined Chimaev's camp as a training partner ahead of UFC 328 in May. Allen said he cleared the air with Chimaev and his team before he arrived, and the pair have been friendly since.

Chimaev lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland by split decision at UFC 328 on 9 May. It was the first defeat of his professional career. Strickland's next title defence has not been settled while he is in a dispute with the UFC over his pay. Allen has publicly backed Strickland's push for better pay.

Chimaev is ranked above Allen. Allen is on a four-fight winning streak, which he extended by submitting Christian Leroy Duncan at UFC Vegas 122.

Both men are on the RAF 14 card in Las Vegas on Friday 23 October. Chimaev faces Robbie Lawler in the co-main event. Allen makes his RAF debut in a wrestling match against Alexander Shlemenko, replacing Michael Page.

In this story

Brendan Allen Khamzat Chimaev Sean Strickland Christian Leroy Duncan Michael Page