FILE — Amir Khan. Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
Add Amir “King” Khan to the growing list of boxers who would want to try their hand in Mixed Martial Arts.
In an interview with FloCombat’s Chamatkar Sandhu on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), the 29-year-old British slugger said that he’d be able to make a successful transition from boxing to MMA, if he chose to do so in the future.
“I would, definitely. Something like that would be massive. Even if I started to train MMA next year, I’d only be 30 years old,” Khan explained.
“I could stop and train for a full year and become a good MMA fighter. It’s in our blood to fight. I’ve been fighting all my life, so for me, I don’t think it’d be a problem for me to learn and switch over to the sport,” he added.
Once the topic of possible MMA opponents came up, the former WBA light-welterweight titleholder had a familiar name in mind—UFC Featherweight Champion, Connor McGregor.
“It just depends on the weight category. But look, as a fighter, that’s a fight I would take. McGregor is a massive name in MMA, and I’m a big name in boxing, so globally, I think it would be a massive fight,“ Khan said.
He also had high praises for the Irish sensation, who was once linked to a superfight with one of boxing’s pound for pound greats, Floyd Mayweather in May.
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“I think McGregor has some great boxing skills. A good boxer will always win a MMA fight—I’ve always said that. A good puncher will always win,” said Khan.
“You saw in the [Jose] Aldo fight–he took a step back and countered him as he came in. With boxing, it’s all about distance and timing, and that’s something we have on our side more than MMA fighters,” he added.
Khan’s possible venture from the boxing ring to the octagon won’t be a first, as former WBO Heavyweight Champion James “Lights Out” Toney stepped in to face Randy Couture at UFC 118 in August 2010.
The MMA veteran, however, mopped the floor with Toney by easily taking him down and submitting him with an arm triangle choke in the first round. Khristian Ibarrola