Islam Makhachev has added his name to the growing list of UFC stars interested in testing themselves in professional boxing. The reigning UFC welterweight champion recently confirmed that he held discussions with Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh about a potential appearance under the Zuffa Boxing banner, opening the door to another possible crossover between mixed martial arts and boxing.
Although no fight has been announced, Makhachev made it clear that he is willing to make the switch whenever the opportunity becomes available. His comments come just days before one of the biggest fights of his career, as he prepares to defend his UFC welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia.
Islam Makhachev confirms discussions with Turki Alalshikh
Makhachev revealed that the conversations took place during his visit to Zuffa Boxing 09 in New York, where he attended the event alongside his longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz. The card was headlined by Edgar Berlanga’s stoppage victory over Steven Butler and also brought together several of the biggest names involved in the newly launched boxing promotion.
According to Makhachev, Turki Alalshikh personally encouraged him to consider a future boxing bout and assured him that the opportunity would be available whenever he decided to pursue it.
The UFC champion responded positively, saying he would welcome the chance to compete in boxing. He added that Dana White already knows where he stands and joked that Alalshikh only needs to ask the UFC CEO because he is ready at any time.
While there is no timeline for such a move, the discussions show that Zuffa Boxing continues to explore the possibility of bringing elite UFC talent into its boxing events.
Boxing has never been the foundation of Makhachev’s success
The possibility of Makhachev stepping into a boxing ring is particularly interesting because striking has never been the defining feature of his career. The 34 year old built his reputation through elite Sambo skills, relentless wrestling and suffocating ground control, following the system developed by former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev owns a professional MMA record of 28 wins and one loss, with 13 victories coming by submission and five by knockout. His disciplined grappling style has allowed him to dominate some of the sport’s best fighters while establishing himself as one of the most accomplished champions in UFC history.
Although boxing is not his primary strength, crossover fights have become increasingly common in combat sports. Fighters from different disciplines have shown a growing willingness to compete outside their traditional rule sets, especially as major promotions look to create blockbuster events.
More UFC stars are interested in Zuffa Boxing
Islam Makhachev is far from the only UFC champion who has publicly expressed interest in crossing over. Several high profile fighters, including Conor McGregor, Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan and Sean O’Malley, have all spoken positively about competing under the Zuffa Boxing banner.
Despite the excitement, Dana White has largely kept the UFC and Zuffa Boxing operating separately. While he oversees both organizations, he has not rushed into booking crossover contests involving active UFC champions.
That cautious approach has meant that discussions remain just that for now. However, the willingness shown by several of the promotion’s biggest stars suggests crossover events could become a major attraction in the coming years.
UFC 330 remains the immediate priority
Any boxing ambitions will have to wait until after Islam Makhachev’s next title defense. The champion is currently in the final stages of preparation for his UFC 330 main event against Ian Machado Garry at Philadelphia’s Xfinity Mobile Arena.
The fight represents another significant test for Makhachev, who is looking to extend one of the longest unbeaten runs in the UFC. Victory would strengthen his legacy even further while adding another successful championship defense to an already remarkable career.
Makhachev has also dismissed recent speculation about retirement. Instead, he has stated that he wants to continue competing for several more years and believes there are still records left for him to break inside the Octagon.
Zuffa Boxing continues building momentum
The timing of Makhachev’s comments also highlights the growing ambitions of Zuffa Boxing. The promotion is steadily expanding its schedule, with Zuffa Boxing 10 set to take place in Dublin. The event will feature Aaron McKenna and Etinosa Oliha competing for the vacant IBF middleweight title.
Adding established UFC champions to future boxing events would significantly raise the profile of the promotion and create fresh matchups that appeal to audiences across both sports.
For now, Makhachev remains focused on defending his UFC title. Still, his latest comments leave little doubt that if the right opportunity emerges, the reigning champion would seriously consider swapping the Octagon for the boxing ring. With Turki Alalshikh already extending an open invitation, a future crossover appears to be a realistic possibility rather than simple speculation.
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