Makhachev Reveals Alalshikh Pitched McGregor Boxing Match

Islam Makhachev says Saudi boxing power broker Turki Alalshikh pitched UFC CEO Dana White on a crossover boxing match between the lightweight champion and Conor McGregor.

Makhachev told UFC Eurasia that Alalshikh called McGregor during a recent boxing event to float the idea, with White standing nearby. "He asked Conor if he wants to box with me," Makhachev said, per MMA Mania. "Yes, that, I am down. I told him to ask Dana White who was near us. He laughed about it. We couldn't really talk. He started showing … body language."

Makhachev Questions McGregor's UFC 329 Injury Timeline

The revelation came as Makhachev weighed in on McGregor's blown knee at UFC 329, suggesting the injury occurred before fight night. Makhachev noted that McGregor lasted just 68 seconds against Max Holloway before collapsing with a knee injury, and the champion thinks the damage happened in camp. "When you're not training for a long time, I even notice it in myself or other athletes," he explained. "When you stop training and you want to come back to training again but you've been resting all this time, you start training again and your body just can't handle it."

Despite McGregor's disastrous return, Makhachev remains open to the boxing crossover. "Why not? I am not a high level boxer but I can handle myself with other MMA fighters on the feet," he said. Alalshikh previously suggested Makhachev box without naming an opponent, but this marks the first confirmation that McGregor was the target.

Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 next month.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Turki Alalshikh pitched Dana White an Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor fight … in boxing