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Khamzat Chimaev has proposed a boxing match against Conor McGregor, suggesting it would be a fun and lucrative opportunity. He emphasized that he remains committed to his UFC career while expressing interest in this crossover fight.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - OCTOBER 20: Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates poses on the scale during the UFC 294 ceremonial weigh-in at Etihad Arena on October 20, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Khamzat Chimaev isnât planning a full-time move to another sport, but he likes the idea of crossing over to boxing at least for one big, marquee fight against another UFC superstar.
As he prepares for his first title defense as middleweight champion at UFC 328, Chimaev pitched his idea to face Conor McGregor in a Zuffa Boxing match. To be clear, Chimaev doesnât hold some grudge against McGregor, so thereâs nothing personal about the fight, but he knows it would be a lot of fun and probably make both of them a whole lot of money.
âIâm not going to move over to boxing,â Chimaev said during a media scrum ahead of UFC 328. âI 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?â
Obviously, McGregor remains the biggest draw in the sport so his inclusion in that fight only serves to benefit Chimaev, but he also considers the former two-division UFC champion one of the best boxers currently competing in MMA.
Of course, McGregor famously crossed over to boxing back in 2017 for a showdown against Floyd Mayweather that became one of the most successful pay-per-view cards in history.
McGregor suffered a 10th-round TKO loss in that fight, but he stuck around longer than most expected, especially given Mayweatherâs credentials and pedigree as one of the top boxers for the past half-century.
âConor is a good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC,â Chimaev said. âIt would be nice to try and go fight that guy. Good money, too. He talks better than Sean Strickland. It would be fun.â
Khamzat Chimaev expressed interest in a boxing match against Conor McGregor, stating it would be fun and financially rewarding.
No, Khamzat Chimaev clarified that he is not planning a full-time move to boxing and will always be a UFC fighter.
Khamzat Chimaev is preparing for his first title defense at UFC 328.
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In a strange twist, Chimaev actually credits McGregor for his entry into MMA after he saw âThe Notoriousâ climb to the top of the UFC mountain with his stunning knockout over Jose Aldo back in 2015.
The 13-second knockout crowned McGregor as featherweight champion, but Chimaev says it was the paycheck he earned for that fight that made quite the impression on him.
In some ways, it changed his life forever.
âWhen I saw that fight, I heard about how much he made,â Chimaev said. âThatâs why I got motivated to start MMA. Itâs cool to see. It would be cool [to box him]. Why should it be personal?â