To master the fighting style made famous by his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev famously coined the catchphrase, "Go to Dagestan for two-three years and forget."

So it comes as a surprise that Makhachev (28-1, 13 Submissions, 5 KOs) is open to a career crossover clash in the sweet science.

Makhachev is in the United States preparing for his August 15 title defense against Ian Machado Garry at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia to headline UFC 330.

Makhachev took a break during training camp last month to attend Zuffa Boxing 09 in New York, headlined by Edgar Berlanga's stoppage win against Steven Butler.

The visit proved to be a fruitful one for Makhachev, as the 34-year-old, along with his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, the president and founder of Dominance MMA Management, met with Turki Alalshikh and other key players in the Zuffa Boxing universe.

“We had good talks about a boxing match in Zuffa Boxing. We spoke with Turki Alalshikh,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie.

“I don’t know if it’s a secret or not, but [Alalshikh] said, ‘When you’re ready for boxing, just let me know, and we’ll do something.' Yeah, why not? Box with some other fighters, why not? Turki asked me a couple of times, 'Are you ready for boxing?' I just told him, 'You're sitting with Dana White. Just ask him. I’m ready anytime.'”

Although White is the frontman for UFC and Zuffa Boxing, he prefers to keep a church and state approach for the combat sports promotions he's leading.

But that hasn't stopped UFC fighters from romanticizing about crossover bouts.

Makhachev joins a group of stars headlined by Conor McGregor, Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan and Sean O'Malley, who've recently expressed interest in competing in Zuffa Boxing.

As for the next Zuffa Boxing event, the 10th installment takes place Saturday at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, in a show that is headlined by the vacant IBF middleweight title bout between Ireland's Aaron McKenna and Italy's Etinosa Oliha.