Khamzat Chimaev Floats Ambitious Plan to Face Conor McGregor in Squared Circle

Most champions coming off a title loss have one goal in mind: reclaiming the belt they just lost. Others may talk about chasing greatness in another weight class. Khamzat Chimaev, however, appears to be flirting with much bigger ideas.

Just two months after surrendering the middleweight title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, the Chechen remains eager for a rematch. But when asked what excites him most in combat sports, Chimaev looked beyond the UFC title picture altogether, floating the idea of a 12-round boxing showdown with Conor McGregor under the Zuffa Boxing banner.

Khamzat Chimaev Wants to Share Boxing Ring with Conor McGregor

For now, Chimaev's immediate focus remains on getting back to UFC gold. But when asked what gets him amped up in combat sports, the former middleweight champion didn't mention Strickland or another championship opportunity.

Instead, he wants to share the ring with “The Notorious.” The 32-year-old said he'd welcome the chance to box the Irish superstar under the Zuffa Boxing banner, believing it would be one of the biggest fights available outside the Octagon.

"Probably would be Zuffa Boxing with Conor (McGregor), maybe that one. We just box 12 rounds. Maybe if Zuffa gives the chance (to) box with Conor, if Conor want to accept, that'd be nice."

Chimaev Wants to Box While Still in MMA Peak

Reacting to “Borz’s” comments, the TVKyno host asked whether he genuinely believes such a matchup could happen. Chimaev made it clear he's all for the idea - "Why not? I'm going to go for a boxing match. Conor is a good boxer, one of the best boxers in the UFC, so it would be nice to go there and fight that guy, make good money."

The comments are notable considering coming from a grappler who is still in the middle of his UFC prime. Since arriving in the promotion, the Chechen has compiled a 15-1 professional record, steamrolling his way through welterweight and middleweight.

Chimaev has torn through both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, but his UFC record tells an interesting story when it comes to his striking. Across 10 Octagon appearances, he's scored just two knockout wins, both of which came back in 2020.

Since stopping Gerald Meerschaert, only three of his next seven victories have ended inside the distance, and all of them came by submission, including two rear-naked chokes and his signature D'Arce choke. 

That said, his dominant title-winning performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 and his submission victory over former champion Robert Whittaker cemented his place among the UFC's elite before suffering his first professional defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Rematch With Sean Strickland Remains Chimaev’s Biggest Priority

Rematch with Strickland Khamzat Chimaev's No. 1 Priority

As intriguing as a boxing match with McGregor sounds, Chimaev has made it clear that unfinished business in the UFC still comes first.

Ever since narrowly losing the middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 328, the Chechen has repeatedly campaigned for an immediate rematch. UFC CEO Dana White revealed after the event that Chimaev had discussed the possibility of moving up to light heavyweight, but the former champion has consistently pointed in another direction.

In fact, he recently took to social media with a direct message for Strickland, writing: "Accept the fight, don't run, I'll beat you anyway. The sooner this happens, the easier it will be to breathe."

The post was another reminder that Chimaev hasn't moved on from his first professional defeat. While the idea of sharing a boxing ring with McGregor clearly excites him, reclaiming the UFC middleweight title remains the objective that matters most.

If the UFC grants him the rematch he's asking for, the McGregor dream will likely have to wait. But should Zuffa Boxing finally become a reality somewhere down the line, Chimaev has already made it known exactly who he'd like standing across from him.