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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ibrahimovic has always been a fan of martial arts</li><li>CR7 regularly attends boxing shows in Saudi Arabia</li><li>Both men have kept themselves in peak condition</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahomivic - in The Octagon! Ex-UFC star backs CR7 to battle Swedish legend in 'great fight' with 'anything is possible' teaser

<p>Swedish icon Ibrahimovic, who currently <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/kyle-walker-likens-zlatan-ibrahimovic-presence-wayne-rooney-what-like-work-swedish-striker-ac-milan/blt23257a046350cc37" target="_blank">fills an advisory role at Serie A giants AC Milan</a>, has <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/watch-ufc-ac-milan-royalty-zlatan-ibrahimovic-khabib-nurmagomedov-san-siro-special-guest-antonio-rudiger-real-madrid-visit/blt71c66b74353f6d5c" target="_blank">always been a big fan of martial arts</a>. His imposing frame would make him a serious threat inside the Octagon.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Ronaldo, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/who-no1-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo-great-fight-boxing-ring-inter-miami-superstar-told-steer-clear-pitch-invaders/blt50e66199bfc0d54c" target="_blank">continues to keep himself in great shape at 40 years of age</a>. He is still going strong at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, while adding his collection of 219 caps for Portugal, but <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">will need a new challenge at some stage</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p><span></span>CR7’s former Old Trafford team-mate, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/bite-me-luis-suarez-challenged-fight-patrice-evra-pay-out-pocket-revival-feud-racism-scandal-man-utd/bltcfe9596f95529aee" target="_blank">Patrice Evra, has already announced that he will be making his MMA debut</a> at the PFL Europe event in Paris on May 23. Could Ronaldo follow his lead and one day line up a clash with Ibrahimovic?</p>

THE GOSSIP

<p>Former UFC light heavyweight Alexander Gustafsson would like to see that happen, telling <a href="https://www.comeon.com/sv/sportsbook " target="_blank"><em>Comeon Sports</em></a>: "Patrice Evra has gone into MMA and I think Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be an amazing fighter, I already know he’s an incredible fighter, he has good kicks, long range arms and legs, I think he would be great if he gave MMA a chance.</p><p>"Could he be a champion? Who knows. Imagine Zlatan vs Cristiano Ronaldo. It would be a great fight to watch and these days it seems like anything is possible, you never know who is going to fight who."</p>

WHAT FORMER UFC STAR SAID

<p>Ronaldo has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cristiano-ronaldo-georgina-rodriguez-tyson-fury-francis-ngannou-fight-saudi-arabia/bltb0f9c1f1240501c3" target="_blank">a regular at ring side for the various boxing extravaganzas</a> that have been staged in the Middle East. He has, alongside son Cristiano Jr, been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/fight-night-cristiano-ronaldo-son-accept-canelo-alvarez-invite-boxing-extravaganza-saudi-arabia/bltb99be245a2db55e5#csc47e85abbacd23d9" target="_blank">invited by Canelo Alvarez to attend the Mexican’s next fight</a> against William Scull in Riyadh on Saturday.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahomivic - in The Octagon! Ex-UFC star backs CR7 to battle Swedish legend in 'great fight' with 'anything is possible' teaser | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have been urged, by an ex-UFC star, to give MMA a go as they would put on a &quot;great fight&quot;.

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Zlatan Ibrahomivic - in The Octagon! Ex-UFC star backs CR7 to battle Swedish legend in &apos;great fight&apos; with &apos;anything is possible&apos; teaser