Makhachev says McGregor open to boxing talks with Turki Alalshikh

Islam Makhachev says Conor McGregor was receptive to discussing a boxing fight during a call arranged by Turki Alalshikh, with UFC CEO Dana White nearby. The former UFC champions have not agreed a date, venue, weight class, financial terms or contract, and no bout has been announced.

Makhachev said the conversation took place while he was attending a boxing event with Alalshikh. Alalshikh asked whether he would face McGregor in the ring, then contacted the Irishman and put the question to him. Makhachev said McGregor indicated that he was willing to consider the contest, although the exchange did not develop into formal negotiations.

The Russian fighter then directed Alalshikh to White, whose approval would be important for any crossover involving a UFC-contracted athlete. White was close by, Makhachev said, but the two men could not hold a proper conversation. Makhachev described White’s response as laughter and gestures rather than a clear commitment.

The possibility comes as Makhachev explores a move into boxing through Zuffa Boxing, the project associated with White, Alalshikh, TKO and Saudi entertainment company Sela. Alalshikh had already told Makhachev that he could help arrange a boxing appearance when the champion was ready. No event or timetable has been identified.

Makhachev has also acknowledged that he is not a top-level boxer, while arguing that he can compete on his feet against other mixed martial artists. A meeting with McGregor would carry additional history because Makhachev is a close friend, training partner and teammate of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who submitted McGregor at UFC 229 in October 2018.

McGregor has competed in one professional boxing match. Floyd Mayweather stopped him in the 10th round of their August 2017 bout in Las Vegas, leaving the former two-division UFC champion with a 0-1 record in boxing. Makhachev, meanwhile, strengthened his position in the UFC after beating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, retaining his welterweight title and extending his UFC winning run to 17 victories, a record that surpassed Anderson Silva’s mark.