Khamzat Chimaev pitches Zuffa Boxing bout with Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 328 title defense

Key facts

• Khamzat Chimaev is 15-0 in MMA and 9-0 in the UFC.
• Chimaev defends his middleweight title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, N.J.
• Chimaev proposed a Zuffa Boxing match with Conor McGregor, citing money as motivation.
• McGregor last fought in July 2021, breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier.
• McGregor faced Floyd Mayweather in a 2017 boxing match, losing by 10th-round TKO.
• Chimaev said McGregor's 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo inspired him to start MMA.
• McGregor pulled out of a 2024 fight with Michael Chandler due to a toe injury.
• McGregor recently completed an 18-month ban for missing drug tests.

Chimaev eyes McGregor under Zuffa Boxing banner

Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated UFC middleweight champion, has publicly floated the idea of a boxing match against Conor McGregor under the Zuffa Boxing promotion. Speaking to reporters in Newport Beach, California, ahead of his first title defense, Chimaev made clear that financial gain, not legacy, drives his interest. 'I'm not going to move over to boxing. I will be forever a UFC fighter. But maybe if Zuffa gives the chance, box with Conor, or if Conor wants to accept that,' he said. 'It would be nice. Why not?' The proposal comes as Chimaev prepares to face Sean Strickland in the UFC 328 main event on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey. The bout, which will air on Paramount+, marks Chimaev's first defense of the middleweight title he won in his last outing. With a perfect 15-0 professional record and 9-0 in the UFC, Chimaev has established himself as one of the promotion's most dominant forces, yet he openly admits that money, not belts, motivates him.

McGregor's boxing history and current inactivity

McGregor is no stranger to the boxing ring. In 2017, he crossed over to face undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather in a lucrative interpromotional bout that shattered multiple financial records. McGregor put up a valiant effort before being stopped by TKO in the 10th round. Since then, the Irishman has not fought in any capacity since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. His attempts to return have repeatedly fallen through: he pulled out of a long-awaited clash with Michael Chandler in 2024 due to a toe injury, and he recently completed an 18-month suspension for missing drug tests. Respected MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has suggested that McGregor will make his comeback against Max Holloway at UFC 329 during International Fight Week. However, Chimaev's offer presents an alternative path, one that would see McGregor return to boxing rather than MMA. Chimaev acknowledged McGregor's boxing pedigree, calling him 'one of the best boxers in the UFC' and noting that the fight would be 'good money, too.' He added, 'He talks better than Sean Strickland, so it would be fun.'

McGregor's influence on Chimaev's career

Chimaev revealed that McGregor's 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo to become UFC featherweight champion had a profound impact on him during his own rise in the sport. 'When I saw that fight, I heard about how much he made. That's why I got motivated to start MMA,' Chimaev said. 'It's cool to see. It would be cool. Why should it be personal? He never did bad things to me.' This admission underscores the financial allure that McGregor represents, not just as a potential opponent but as a symbol of the wealth that elite combat sports can generate. Chimaev's pitch to Dana White for a Zuffa Boxing event with McGregor is a direct appeal to the UFC president, who launched the boxing venture last year. Chimaev remains under UFC contract and insists he will not leave the promotion, but he sees the Zuffa banner as a vehicle for a crossover bout that could significantly increase his earnings.

Stakes and outlook for the proposed bout

The proposed fight would require approval from both the UFC and McGregor, who has previously expressed interest in a rematch with Mayweather, though that prospect appears increasingly unlikely. Chimaev's undefeated record and rising star power make him an attractive opponent, but McGregor's inactivity and recent setbacks raise questions about his readiness. If the bout materializes, it would be one of the most financially significant events in combat sports, capitalizing on McGregor's enduring popularity and Chimaev's momentum. For now, Chimaev's focus remains on his title defense against Strickland. But by publicly floating the McGregor fight, he has injected a new narrative into the UFC landscape, one that blurs the lines between MMA and boxing. Whether Dana White and Zuffa Boxing will take the bait remains to be seen, but Chimaev has made his ambitions clear.

The bottom line

• Chimaev is open to a Zuffa Boxing match with McGregor, citing money as his primary motivation.
• Chimaev defends his middleweight title against Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9.
• McGregor has not fought since July 2021 and has faced multiple setbacks in his return.
• McGregor's 2017 boxing match with Mayweather set financial records and remains a blueprint for crossover bouts.
• Chimaev credits McGregor's Aldo knockout for inspiring him to pursue MMA.
• The proposed fight depends on UFC and McGregor approval, with no timeline set.