Khamzat Chimaev calls for boxing match with Conor McGregor
Khamzat Chimaev wants to box Conor McGregor under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
The UFC middleweight champion, who defends his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, told reporters during a media scrum that a boxing match with McGregor would be more lucrative than any MMA fight on his schedule. “Conor is a good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC,” Chimaev said, per MMA Fighting. “It would be nice to try it. Go there, fight that guy. Good money, too. Better than Sean Strickland.”
Chimaev credits McGregor for his MMA career
Chimaev made clear he has no intention of leaving the UFC full time but likes the idea of a one-off crossover. According to MMA Mania, the champion said he cares more about his bank account than prestige these days. “How you can’t love the millions?” he asked. “If you’re human, you should love the money.” McGregor famously banked around $100 million for his 2017 loss to Floyd Mayweather, while Zuffa Boxing recently paid Conor Benn $15 million for an undercard spot on a Tyson Fury card in Saudi Arabia.
Chimaev said McGregor’s 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194 changed his life. When he learned how much the Irishman earned for that featherweight title win, it motivated him to pursue MMA. “When I saw that fight and heard how much money he made, that’s when I got motivated to start MMA,” he said. Now the 30-year-old undefeated champion wants his own payday in the squared circle, provided TKO approves. “Why not?” Chimaev said when asked if the parent company would allow it. “It would be fun.”
Chimaev faces Strickland in less than two weeks. A win keeps him on track for superfights in either sport.
Original reporting:
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