May 1, 2026, 9:20 p.m. ET
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Khamzat Chimaev would entertain a boxing match against the UFC’s biggest star.
UFC middleweight champion Chimaev (15-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) has made it clear that it’s money that motivates him, not the belt.
Ahead of his first title defense against Sean Strickland (30-7 MMA, 17-7 UFC) in the UFC 328 main event on May 9 in Newark, N.J. (Paramount+), Chimaev sees one name that could extensively increase his bank account – and he pitched it under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
“I’m not going to move over to boxing. I will be forever a UFC fighter. But maybe if Zuffa (Boxing) gives the chance, box with Conor, or if Conor wants to accept that,” Chimaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “It would be nice. Why not?”
McGregor managed to do what many UFC fighters aspire to do, which is box while under contract. He faced undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather in 2017, and put up a valiant effort before getting finished by Round 10 TKO.
“Conor is a good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC,” Chimaev said. “It would be nice to try and go fight that guy. Good money, too. He talks better than Sean Strickland, so it would be fun.”
Chimaev admits McGregor’s 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo to become UFC featherweight champion had a major impact on him while he was on the rise.
“When I saw that fight, I heard about how much he made,” Chimaev said. “That’s why I got motivated to start MMA. It’s cool to see. It would be cool. Why should it be personal? He never did bad things to me.”