UFC superstar Conor McGregor was called out for a boxing match by Khamzat Chimaev, who suggested the bout could take place in Zuffa Boxing.
McGregor has not competed in MMA since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in their rematch. The Irishman is currently preparing for his comeback fight in the UFC, with rumors linking him to a rematch against fellow fan favorite Max Holloway.
With McGregor’s name in the news again, it was the perfect opportunity for one of the UFC’s current biggest stars to call him out. Chimaev, who fights Sean Strickland at UFC 328 next weekend with his UFC middleweight title on the line, spoke to the media in Las Vegas on Thursday ahead of his next fight. Although Chimaev said he intends to remain an elite MMA fighter, he admitted that the potential to fight someone like McGregor in Zuffa Boxing, which UFC president Dana White also runs, is tempting.
“I’m not going to move over to boxing. I will be forever a UFC fighter. Maybe if Zuffa (Boxing) gives the chance, box with Conor, or if Conor wants to accept that. It would be nice. Why not?” Chimaev said (via MMAFighting.com).
Khamzat Chimaev Wants to Box Conor McGregor
In an effort to coax him into a fight, Chimaev was complimentary of McGregor’s boxing skills, while noting the two would make a lot of money if then ending up throwing hands in the ring.
“Conor is a good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC. It would be nice to try and go fight that guy. Good money, too. He talks better than Sean Strickland. It would be fun,” Chimaev said.
In addition to his MMA experience, McGregor has also competed as a professional boxer, losing his lone boxing bout by knockout to Floyd Mayweather in August 2017. That fight sold 4.3 million pay-per-views, making it the second-biggest combat sports event of all time in terms of PPV buys, just behind the 4.3 million buys that Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao did in May 2015. There is no doubt a McGregor vs. Chimaev boxing match would draw millions of eyeballs, too.
Khamzat Chimaev Has His Hands Full With Sean Strickland
Before Chimaev can even begin to think about fighting McGregor, he has his hands full with Strickland at UFC 328 next Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. This is far from an easy fight for Chimaev, who is undefeated in his MMA career at 15-0. Although Chimaev should have the wrestling advantage on paper, Strickland has some of the best takedown defense in the middleweight division, and on the feet, he should have the advantage in the striking. Yes, Chimaev is a big betting favorite for this fight, but you still can’t count out Strickland. After all, the challenger has defied the odds many times in the past, including against former champion Israel Adesanya, and in his last fight against rising star Anthony Hernandez.
Still, most expect Chimaev to roll here, and if he does, he may move up to the UFC light heavyweight division for his next challenge. But if he has it his way, then Chimaev would make a pit stop against McGregor in Zuffa Boxing, where both men are bound to make a lot of money.
Conor McGregor Called out for Boxing Match by Khamzat Chimaev