Khamzat Chimaev has responded to recent comments from Conor McGregor by challenging him to a fight in either boxing or MMA. Chimaev stated he is willing to fight McGregor and mentioned he has spoken to people from Zuffa Boxing. He believes people underestimate his boxing because he relies on his wrestling in MMA, but claims he would showcase his striking in a pure boxing contest. Chimaev emphasized he doesn't need to use his boxing skills in MMA because he is a mixed martial artist. The post suggests this is part of ongoing verbal exchanges between the two fighters, though no formal bout agreement has been announced.
Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Conor McGregor, challenging the Irish star to settle their verbal dispute in either MMA or a boxing ring, with no formal agreement yet in place as of early May 2026.
Chimaev, ranked first in the UFC middleweight division and tenth on the pound-for-pound list, carries a 15-1 record and has built his reputation largely on elite wrestling. The 32-year-old from the United Arab Emirates, who trains out of Allstars Training Center, averages 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy clip — one of the highest rates in the sport. He acknowledged that his boxing tends to be overlooked precisely because he leans on his grappling in MMA, but said a pure boxing contest would give him a platform to demonstrate his striking ability. He also noted he has been in contact with people connected to Zuffa Boxing.
McGregor, 37, is one of the most recognizable strikers in combat sports history, holding a 22-6 professional MMA record. The southpaw from Dublin trains out of SBG Ireland and has long been regarded as a precision puncher, landing 5.32 significant strikes per minute across his career. His ground game, however, is far less developed, with just 0.67 takedowns per 15 minutes and minimal submission activity.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight contender, making any high-profile callout carry genuine divisional weight
- A boxing matchup would strip away Chimaev's wrestling advantage, shifting the dynamic considerably
- The mention of Zuffa Boxing adds a specific organizational layer to what might otherwise be dismissed as social media sparring
- No bout agreement has been announced, and McGregor's competitive status remains unaddressed in the available information
