Khamzat Chimaev Wants Zuffa Boxing Bout With Conor McGregor
khamzat chimaev has put Conor McGregor back into the boxing conversation, suggesting Dana White book him against the former UFC champion on a Zuffa Boxing show. Chimaev called the matchup “good money too,” putting a fresh crossover pitch in front of a fighter who has not competed since July 2021.
Chimaev Targets McGregor
“Zuffa boxing with Conor, maybe that one,” Chimaev said when discussing the idea. He added, “Maybe if Zuffa gives the chance to box Conor and Conor accepts, that would be nice.”
He went further on the matchup itself: “Conor is one of the best boxers in the UFC. It would be nice to fight that guy and good money too.” That is the clearest public push yet for Chimaev to meet McGregor in a boxing ring rather than inside the cage.
McGregor’s Long Layoff
McGregor has not fought in any capacity since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. He also pulled out of a clash with Michael Chandler in 2024 because of a toe injury and completed an 18-month ban for missing drug tests.
His recent messages have kept the comeback talk alive. Earlier this week, McGregor posted, “Legs still sharper than a guillotine,” “Training with the young wolves, sharpening the blade,” and “The return is coming whether they like it or not.”
Zuffa Boxing And The Road Back
Dana White launched Zuffa Boxing last year, giving Chimaev a new platform to name a specific opponent and format. McGregor already has one boxing appearance on his record, losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, and his last victory came against Donald Cerrone in January 2020.
There is also a separate comeback idea circulating around McGregor. Ariel Helwani suggested he will return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 during the promotion's annual International Fight Week, which leaves McGregor with more than one route being discussed at once.
For Chimaev, the pitch is simple: a champion vs. McGregor in a boxing setting, on White’s new project, with money at the center of it. If the matchup ever moves beyond the suggestion stage, it would give McGregor another high-profile lane back into combat sports and put Chimaev into one of the sport’s biggest crossover discussions.
