Former world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather says a boxing match against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will happen - and he will pocket more money than when he beat Conor McGregor.
The 41-year-old American beat McGregor with a 10th-round TKO in August 2017, earning him an estimated US$275 million (NZ$ 419m).
- Conor McGregor brushes off devastating loss, enjoys NFL game
- Khabib Nurmagomedov threatens to quit if teammate is banned
After defeating McGregor on his return to UFC this month, Nurmagomedov called out Mayweather in an Instagram video.
"Let's go Floyd, we have to fight now," Nurmagomedov said. "50-0 vs 27-0, two guys who never lose.
"Let's go. Why not? Because in the jungle, there's only one king.
"Of course, I'm the king, because he can not drop McGregor, but I drop him easily. Let's go."
Mayweather has been linked to a comeback fight against Manny Pacquiao in recent months, but he now seems to have his sights set on Nurmagomedov.
"We're fighting," Mayweather told TMZ Sports. "I'm my own boss.
"I can't say what's going on on Khabib's end, but on my end, we can make it happen.
"He called me out, so you have to come to my world.
"When I face Khabib, I'm getting a nine-figure payday. Yes, more than the McGregor fight.
"Probably $100 million more, guaranteed. It could be somewhere upwards of $110-200 million guaranteed."
Nurmagomedov is currently suspended for his role in a brawl that broke out after his fourth-round submission win over McGregor UFC 229 fight in Las Vegas.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission is still investigating the matter, and is expected to fine and possibly suspend Nurmagomedov at a future disciplinary hearing.
Mayweather admitted he hadn't seen any vision from the brawl, but he warned the Russian there must be no repeat of the post-fight melee.
"Of course, we know Vegas is the fighting capital and after the fight, you have to conduct yourself like a true professional," said Mayweather.
"Not just in the ring, but outside the ring also - you must conduct yourself like a professional.
"I haven't had a chance to see it, but from what I heard it was a crazy melee."
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