Credit: Jeff Bottari/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Islam Makhachev could potentially move from the Octagon to the ring after a few more Mixed Martial Arts appearances.

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will look to retain the throne against rising contender Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 330 main event later this month. Makhachev returns to the Octagon after defeating then-welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last year.

Makhachev enters UFC 330 as the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighter. After Ilia Topuria’s recent loss to Justin Gaethje, Makhachev has the chance to expand his lead over the second-best pound-for-pound combatant when he returns to the cage.

Makhachev, a top protege of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, is known for his elite wrestling. But his striking has also grown leaps and bounds in recent years, as evidenced in recent wins over Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski.

As of this writing, UFC fighters aren’t allowed to crossover into Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing promotion, but Makhachev wants to become the first to buck the trend.

Islam Makhachev targets eventual Zuffa Boxing fight after ‘good talks’ with Turki Alalshikh

In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Makhachev revealed that his recent attendance at a Zuffa Boxing event prompted a surprising fight offer.

“We had good talks about a boxing match, in Zuffa Boxing with Turki Alalshikh,” Makhachev said.

“I don’t know if it’s a secret or not, but he said ‘When you’re ready for boxing, just let me know, and we’ll do something’. Why not? Box with some other fighters, why not?Turki has asked me a few times, and I’ve just told him to ask Dana.

“I’m ready, any time.”

Makhachev isn’t the only top UFC fighter to tease a potential move to the Zuffa Boxing arena. Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has also expressed interest in fighting in Zuffa Boxing, despite White’s reluctance to let him cross over.

What is your prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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