Islam Makhachev Wants a Boxing Bout with Conor McGregor

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev said he would step into a boxing ring against former two-division champion Conor McGregor regardless of the purse. The comments came during a recent interview with the outlet Ushatayka and echo earlier statements that Makhachev could “wipe the floor” with McGregor in a pure-boxing contest.

HeavyIslam Makhachev open to Conor McGregor boxing match ‘regardless of purse’ EssentiallySports

Makhachev, the current No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts, has held titles in two UFC weight classes and is praised for his wrestling, submissions and evolving striking. McGregor, while past his MMA prime, remains the sport’s biggest star and previously faced Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a ten-round boxing match on August 26, 2017 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Islam Makhachev open to Conor McGregor boxing match ‘regardless of purse’ HeavyEssentiallySports

The idea of a Makhachev-McGregor showdown has lingered for years. In 2022, Makhachev hinted he would “smash” McGregor when the Irishman was still a lightweight. The rivalry resurfaced after Makhachev’s performance at June 1, 2024 (UFC 302) where he displayed “decent boxing skills” against Dustin Poirier.

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• Islam Makhachev – UFC welterweight champion; ranked No. 1 pound-for-pound in MMA.

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• Conor McGregor – Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion; fought Mayweather in a 10-round boxing bout on August 26, 2017.

Islam Makhachev open to Conor McGregor boxing match ‘regardless of purse’ EssentiallySports

• Recent UFC 302 bout (June 1, 2024) showed Makhachev landing effective punches against Poirier, suggesting he can compete on the feet.

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He also noted that boxing “pays very good money” but his motivation is the challenge, not the payday.

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UFC president Dana White has speculated that a Makhachev-McGregor bout could be organized under the Zuffa Boxing banner, positioning it as a clash between the world’s top MMA fighter and its biggest superstar.

HeavyIslam Makhachev open to Conor McGregor boxing match ‘regardless of purse’ EssentiallySports

During a recent Zuffa Boxing event in New York, Saudi sports minister Turki Alalshikh placed a video call to McGregor and subsequently offered Makhachev a boxing fight with the Irishman.

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• “Yes maybe he’s dangerous in the first round, but after that I don’t think he has any chance. Honestly, regardless of the purse I’d box (Conor),” — Getty Images Islam Makhachev, UFC welterweight champion

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• “Well, if I say he is not dangerous at all, that would be wrong,” — Getty Images Islam Makhachev, UFC welterweight champion

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McGregor still has one UFC fight remaining on his contract and has expressed interest in competing for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) after his UFC tenure ends. Those contractual obligations, combined with Makhachev’s current schedule of mandatory welterweight challengers, make the likelihood of a boxing match uncertain, though the possibility remains open if Zuffa Boxing or other promoters can align the fighters’ interests.

Islam Makhachev open to Conor McGregor boxing match ‘regardless of purse’ HeavyEssentiallySports