Crossovers between MMA and boxing have always been rare, though not without their share of spectacle. James Toney stepping into the Octagon against Randy Couture is often credited as the modern spark of the phenomenon. But the most iconic clash came in 2017, when Conor McGregor crossed over to face Floyd Mayweather in a professional boxing bout that transcended both sports. Surprisingly, what many don’t know is that McGregor’s fiercest rival, Khabib Nurmagomedov, was also offered a chance to fight ‘Money’ in another potential blockbuster. The twist? The Dagestani star flat-out refused. Calling it shocking would be an understatement, but that’s exactly what happened.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Turned Down Floyd Mayweather Fight Over Mother’s Promise and No-Wrestling Clause
In 2021, Nurmagomedov rejected a staggering $100 million offer to face Mayweather shortly after announcing his retirement from the UFC. According to his former head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez, the undefeated Russian turned down the bout because Mayweather refused to allow even a single round of wrestling.
“There was a big money fight against Floyd Mayweather also that was thrown around, in boxing,” Mendez explained during a recent podcast with Hikmat Wehbi.
He added, “He was thinking about it, no wrestling, just boxing. He was offered a potential match with Floyd Mayweather, and he turned it down. I don’t know if Floyd would’ve accepted or if Floyd even knew about it, I just know Khabib turned it down.”
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Khabib turned down a big money fight with Floyd Mayweather during his UFC career, Javier Mendez reveals. 🤯💰
“There was a big money fight with Floyd Mayweather that was thrown around, and Khabib turned it down. He was offered but I don’t know if Floyd would have accepted or… pic.twitter.com/qG8mTcoLfc
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 8, 2025
This isn’t the first time talk of a potential Nurmagomedov vs. Mayweather fight has surfaced, and his rejection of it has been discussed. Just last month, the former UFC champion reiterated why no amount of money could ever convince him to take that bout.
‘The Eagle’ made it clear that Mayweather’s morals, or lack thereof, are a major reason he wants no association with the boxing legend.
“This is a money fight, but I will never do this because I respect legacy,” Nurmagomedov said during a Q&A session in New York this past weekend.
He added, “If you talk about Mayweather as a man, nobody wants to be like him. Look at Muhammad Ali. He’s not with us, but he inspired billions of people, not just Muslims.”
Back in 2021, Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, also highlighted the promise that the Dagestani made to his mother following the passing of his father, Abdulmanap, in 2020 due to COVID-19. That tragedy directly influenced his retirement at UFC 254 at just 32 years of age after successfully defending his lightweight title for the third time against Justin Gaethje.
It was the Hall of Famer’s first fight without his father in his corner, and afterward, he vowed to his mother he would never compete again without the man who shaped him into the fighter fans came to admire.
Despite Dana White’s best efforts to lure him back, ‘The Eagle’ never wavered on his decision, turning down not only a massive payday against Mayweather but also another blockbuster opportunity against his hero Georges St-Pierre at 165 pounds. In both cases, ‘The Eagle’ stuck to his word and honored the promise he made to his mother.
