Amir Khan Says Conor McGregor Made SFL U.K. Launch Possible
Amir Khan Says Conor McGregor Made SFL U.K. Launch Possible
Boxing star Amir Khan gives credit to Conor McGregor for making Super Fight League U.K. possible.
Former unified light-welterweight boxing world champion Amir Khan is making moves in 2017, but it's the world of mixed martial arts he's got his eyes on.
The British boxer co-founded the India-based MMA promotion Super Fight League (SFL) in 2012, and the organization has since held events in India, the United States, Canada, and Dubai.
With the turn of the new year, Khan has outlined SFL's plans for 2017, and they include a launch in the U.K. with a unique league-based format that includes eight teams from different parts of Britain competing against one another.
Speaking earlier this week, Khan cited Irishman Conor McGregor as the man who has caught his interest and had made a launch in Britain possible.
"MMA is big and getting bigger [in the U.K.]," Khan told BBC. "Fighters like Conor McGregor are making a lot of noise. MMA is hitting some high numbers on pay per view.
"The market is massive for us. We want to reach countries like India with a population of 1.2 billion people. I am always going to be involved in boxing but to have my foot in the door with MMA is brilliant."
Earlier this year, Khan said he would be willing to "put friendship aside" and fight McGregor in the UFC.
Speaking to FloCombat in July, Khan hinted that a transition from boxing to mixed martial arts wouldn't be that big of a deal and that it's certainly an option he is considering.
"Even if I started to train MMA next year, I'd only be 30 years old," Khan said. "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."
While he may be considering a move to MMA, Khan's main focus still lies on boxing. His team recently confirmed they are eyeing a bout with fellow British fighter Kell Brook.
"It's a fight that I would love to have," Khan told the BBC. "I have changed my mind because of the Triple G [Gennady Golovkin] fight. Kell was smart taking that fight. He knew he was going to get beat, but he still took it because he knew he was going to get paid well and make a name for himself.
"I still think he is not the best in Britain. I still think I'm the best, the number one fighter in Britain. So time will tell."
The British boxer co-founded the India-based MMA promotion Super Fight League (SFL) in 2012, and the organization has since held events in India, the United States, Canada, and Dubai.
With the turn of the new year, Khan has outlined SFL's plans for 2017, and they include a launch in the U.K. with a unique league-based format that includes eight teams from different parts of Britain competing against one another.
Speaking earlier this week, Khan cited Irishman Conor McGregor as the man who has caught his interest and had made a launch in Britain possible.
"MMA is big and getting bigger [in the U.K.]," Khan told BBC. "Fighters like Conor McGregor are making a lot of noise. MMA is hitting some high numbers on pay per view.
"The market is massive for us. We want to reach countries like India with a population of 1.2 billion people. I am always going to be involved in boxing but to have my foot in the door with MMA is brilliant."
Earlier this year, Khan said he would be willing to "put friendship aside" and fight McGregor in the UFC.
Speaking to FloCombat in July, Khan hinted that a transition from boxing to mixed martial arts wouldn't be that big of a deal and that it's certainly an option he is considering.
"Even if I started to train MMA next year, I'd only be 30 years old," Khan said. "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."
While he may be considering a move to MMA, Khan's main focus still lies on boxing. His team recently confirmed they are eyeing a bout with fellow British fighter Kell Brook.
"It's a fight that I would love to have," Khan told the BBC. "I have changed my mind because of the Triple G [Gennady Golovkin] fight. Kell was smart taking that fight. He knew he was going to get beat, but he still took it because he knew he was going to get paid well and make a name for himself.
"I still think he is not the best in Britain. I still think I'm the best, the number one fighter in Britain. So time will tell."