Islam Makhachev recently defended his welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330, picking up his 17th consecutive win inside the Octagon. However, the champion revealed that he also took some significant damage during the fight.
Makhachev underwent several MRI scans afterward and is now expected to focus on dealing with some lingering spinal issues. With contenders like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales waiting in the wings, the Dagestani certainly has no shortage of challenges when he returns.
But Makhachev recently offered a glimpse into what one of his biggest challenges outside the Octagon could look like. And surprisingly, it involves a potential boxing match with Conor McGregor.
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The reigning welterweight champion revealed that a boxing bout against McGregor was pitched by Turki Alalshikh. The Saudi power broker even put the Irishman on a video call during the recent Zuffa 9 boxing event in August, which Makhachev also attended.
That’s where the idea of a potential matchup between the two was brought up. Makhachev has now doubled down on that possibility, making it clear that money isn’t necessarily going to be the deciding factor. During a recent interview with Ushatayka, the champion sounded extremely confident in his striking evolution and suggested that he wouldn’t need a massive payday to take on McGregor.
The interviewer asked how dangerous McGregor would be on the feet in a boxing ring, particularly after his recent ACL and meniscus surgery and other injury troubles.
Makhachev replied, “Well, if I say he’s not dangerous at all, it would be wrong. Yes, maybe he’s dangerous in the first round, but after that I don’t think he has any chance.”
The interviewer then asked what kind of purse Makhachev would ideally want for a potential boxing match with McGregor, with a range of seven to eight figures being mentioned. Makhachev responded, “I don’t know. When it comes to boxing, they pay very good money.”
He then made it clear that the paycheck wouldn’t stop him from accepting the fight, adding, “I don’t know. Honestly, regardless of the purse I’d box. Specifically against Conor, yes.”
🚨 Islam Makhachev says he’d box Conor McGregor regardless of how much he gets paid.
He says Conor is only dangerous in the first round and has no chance after that 😳
“Yes maybe he’s dangerous in the first round, but after that I don’t think he has any chance. Honestly, regardless of the purse I’d box [Conor].”
(via Ushatayka)
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 13, 2026
McGregor is certainly past his prime and recently suffered a brutal ACL and meniscus tear during his comeback fight at UFC 329. Still, the Irishman remains one of the most recognizable strikers in combat sports and has already proven that he can hold his own in a boxing ring.
That was evident when McGregor went the distance for 10 rounds against Floyd Mayweather in 2017, who is widely considered the finest boxer of this generation. Of course, that bout happened nearly a decade ago, and McGregor has endured plenty of mileage and injuries since then.
At the same time, Makhachev’s striking has evolved considerably throughout his UFC career. With the two fighters now at very different stages of their careers, a boxing match between Makhachev and McGregor may be a long shot. But if Alalshikh can make it happen, it’s certainly the kind of matchup that would have fans talking.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
