Khamzat Chimaev responded to recent comments from Conor McGregor by saying he's willing to fight the Irishman in either boxing or MMA. Chimaev stated he told people from Zuffa Boxing that everyone thinks he's just a wrestler, but he doesn't need to show his boxing in MMA. He claimed that if he went into boxing, he would demonstrate his striking skills. Chimaev emphasized that the ruleset doesn't matter to him and he's ready to compete in whatever format is arranged. The post includes a poll asking readers who would win in a boxing match between the two.
Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Conor McGregor, making clear he is open to facing the Irishman under any ruleset — MMA or boxing — after McGregor made recent public comments directed at the welterweight contender.
Chimaev, 32, holds a 15-1-0 professional record and currently sits ranked first in the UFC middleweight division, placing him tenth on the pound-for-pound list. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center and representing the United Arab Emirates, the six-foot-two orthodox striker is widely regarded as one of the sport's most complete fighters. His numbers back that up: he lands 4.04 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy, while also averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. Chimaev told representatives from Zuffa Boxing that people too often reduce him to a wrestler, and that a boxing context would be his opportunity to prove his striking ability stands on its own.
McGregor, 37, carries a 22-6-0 record and remains one of the most recognizable names in combat sports history. The Dubliner, fighting out of SBG Ireland, is a southpaw who stands five-foot-nine with a 74-inch reach. His output in MMA has historically been sharp, averaging 5.32 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 49 percent. He has not been active inside the Octagon in recent years.
Why it matters
- Chimaev is the top-ranked middleweight and a top-ten pound-for-pound fighter, meaning any high-profile callout carries real divisional weight
- A boxing crossover would involve McGregor stepping into a format where Chimaev believes his skills are underestimated, adding an unusual stylistic dimension to the rivalry
- Chimaev's emphasis that the ruleset is irrelevant signals a willingness to meet McGregor entirely on the Irishman's preferred terms
