Islam Makhachev has disclosed that Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh approached him about a boxing match against Conor McGregor. Makhachev says he directed Alalshikh to ask Dana White, who was present nearby, but a conversation never took place. While not considering himself an elite boxer, Makhachev expressed confidence that he could hold his own standing with any fighter.
Islam Makhachev has revealed that Saudi sports authority chairman Turki Alalshikh floated the idea of a boxing match between the reigning welterweight champion and Conor McGregor, though the concept never progressed beyond an informal conversation.
According to Makhachev, Alalshikh raised the boxing proposal directly with him. The UFC champion responded by pointing Alalshikh toward Dana White, who was nearby at the time, but no follow-up discussion between the two officials ever materialized. Makhachev was candid about his boxing credentials, stopping short of calling himself an elite striker, yet stated he believes he could handle himself on the feet against any opponent.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and currently holds the welterweight title, ranking at the top of the pound-for-pound standings. The Russian southpaw, who trains with Eagles MMA, lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 58 percent — one of the highest rates in the sport — while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, underlining just how complete a fighter he has become.
McGregor, 38, holds a 22-7 professional MMA record and remains one of combat sports' most recognizable names. The Irish southpaw out of SBG Ireland boasts a reach of 74 inches and an output of 5.27 significant strikes per minute, numbers that reflect the aggressive, pressure-heavy boxing style that made him a global phenomenon.
Why it matters
- A boxing crossover between two southpaws of this profile would be among the most commercially significant combat sports events imaginable
- Makhachev's willingness to discuss standing with any fighter on the feet adds a layer of competitive intrigue beyond pure spectacle
- The involvement of Turki Alalshikh signals ongoing Saudi interest in staging marquee combat sports events outside the traditional MMA framework
- No deal is in place, and the idea appears to remain entirely at the exploratory stage
