Khamzat Chimaev stated he would be interested in a boxing match against Conor McGregor under the Zuffa Boxing banner. This represents Chimaev's willingness to explore boxing opportunities alongside his MMA career. The comment appears speculative as neither fighter has confirmed serious negotiations for such a bout. McGregor has not competed in MMA since 2024 and has expressed interest in both boxing and MMA returns. Zuffa Boxing is a recently launched promotional venture tied to UFC ownership.
Khamzat Chimaev has said he would be open to meeting Conor McGregor in a boxing ring under the Zuffa Boxing banner, though the comment appears to be speculative and no serious negotiations between the two camps have been confirmed.
Chimaev, known as "Borz," is currently ranked number one in the UFC middleweight division and sits tenth in the pound-for-pound rankings. The 32-year-old representing the United Arab Emirates carries a 15-1 record and trains out of Allstars Training Center in Stockholm. Inside the octagon, he is one of the sport's most complete threats, landing 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes — a combination that makes him exceptionally difficult to game-plan against.
McGregor, 37, holds a 22-6 record and has not competed since 2024. The Irishman out of SBG Ireland built his reputation in large part on his striking, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career, and has long maintained crossover appeal in the boxing world. He has spoken publicly about potential returns to both MMA and boxing without committing to a specific path.
Zuffa Boxing is a newly launched promotional venture connected to UFC ownership, and a McGregor appearance under that banner has been widely discussed as a natural fit given his profile.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender, so any extended detour into boxing carries divisional implications
- McGregor's return bout, in whatever format, would be one of the most commercially significant events in combat sports
- The style contrast is sharp: Chimaev's wrestling-heavy, high-accuracy approach versus McGregor's southpaw precision striking
- As an unconfirmed report, the matchup remains firmly in the realm of speculation until both sides signal genuine intent
