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Tag: Javier Mendez

  • Javier Mendez: Ian Garry Won’t Get the Best of Islam on the Ground

    Javier Mendez: Ian Garry Won’t Get the Best of Islam on the Ground

    Ian Machado Garry might be teasing that he’s next in line to challenge Islam Makhachev; however, Javier Mendez, Makhachev’s coach, is implying that Garry is no threat.

    Garry has recently revealed that he is in Georgia, looking to improve his wrestling abilities for a potential title matchup with Makhachev. Georgia is known for producing high-level wrestling talent, including former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.

    Given the current state of the welterweight rankings, it’s not confirmed who will be the first to challenge Makhachev, but Garry — currently ranked No. 2 — is making a big push.

    But according to Mendez, the head of the American Kickboxing Academy, that won’t matter because of Makhachev’s advantages when the fight goes to the mat.

    “He does well with Islam on the standup because he’s rangy, he’s tricky, all those — but on the ground, he does okay, but he doesn’t survive on the ground,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He might survive five rounds, but he won’t get the the best of Islam on the ground. That I’m 100 percent sure about that.

    Though Garry has studied judo, he is better known for using his size and range. The 6’3″ welterweight uses his lankiness and frame to get the better of opponents with his striking.

    “On the stand up, he’s pretty tricky,” Mendez admitted. “So, one punch can change everything on that. One kick, one punch, one knee…so, that’s a different story. But on the ground, I don’t see him dominating. I see him surviving, possibly…and then the takedown defense, that he is decent, but not great enough to stop Islam from taking him down.”

    Mendez also admitted that Makhachev had preferred a matchup with Kamaru Usman, given Usman is a former champion and has perhaps the most star power out of the potential challenger list.

    A matchup with Garry, however, is still entertaining and more than welcome.

    “I feel good about it,” Mendez said. “He’s a well-known guy. He’s very highly skilled, and I look forward to the challenge.”

    Makhachev claimed the welterweight title with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The win made Makhachev the latest UFC fighter to win titles in two different weight divisions during their career.

    Garry is 17-1 and most recently bested another former welterweight champion in Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar two weeks after Makhachev’s title win over JDM.

    The UFC has yet to announce the next title challenger at 170. Shavkat Rakhmonov was recently removed from the welterweight rankings due to inactivity, as he suffered another setback due to injury.

  • Javier Mendez: Usman Nurmagomedov Will Win the UFC Title

    Javier Mendez: Usman Nurmagomedov Will Win the UFC Title

    If one were to believe Javier Mendez, Usman Nurmagomedov will have the same success with a quest for gold in the UFC as he did in PFL.

    Nurmagomedov, the current PFL lightweight champion, will be a free agent at the end of the year. While there is no guarantee yet on what his future will be, let alone what his next fight is, many speculate he will jump to the UFC.

    This is a move that Mendez sees happening. The American Kickboxing Academy leader, who trains Nurmagomedov, as well as the longtime trainer of his cousin — the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov — guarantees that if Usman Nurmagomedov goes to the UFC, he will become a champion.

    “When he gets in there, I believe he’s going to win the title,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He’s that good. People just — they’re going to doubt because he’s not in the UFC. Whatever; this kid’s that good.”

    Mendez quickly followed and clarified that this would be a prediction if he gets to the UFC, saying there is a chance Usman Nurmagomedov never becomes part of the UFC roster during his career.

    Javier Mendez Confident Usman Nurmagomedov Will Succeed With a Move to UFC

    Lightweight has been a prominent division within the UFC over the last decade. To this day, it is filled with a high level of talented athletes, especially those in the top-10 of the title picture.

    A move to the UFC would bring about ideas of new and potentially entertaining matchups for Nurmagomedov that can include the likes of current undisputed champion Ilia Topuria, interim champion Justin Gaethje, Paddy Pimblett, Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.

    Of course, concern will be had over how Nurmagomedov would fare in the UFC. While some fighters who have jumped from one promotion to the UFC, including Gaethje and Kayla Harrison, have fared well for themselves, others like the recently released Patchy Mix have not.

    Mendez feels Nurmagomedov’s work with his cousin, as well as fighters like former UFC lightweight champion and current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, gives him an edge in being able to hang with this crop of talent.

    “That’s why I make some bold statements, because I get to see that,” Mendez said. “If I didn’t get to see that, I don’t think I would make those bold statements. I get to see him, so I can see what he can do.

    “…I get to watch him with the best that’s ever done it.”

    Nurmagomedov fought in the main event of PFL Dubai earlier this month, retaining the PFL lightweight championship with a finish of Alfie Davis.

    The question as of now becomes if the PFL will give him another title defense fight to finish out his contract before the end of 2026 — or leave him on the shelf to end his contract at the latest date possible while trying to work out a new deal with him.

  • Islam Makhachev’s future: Javier Mendez considers possible opponents

    Islam Makhachev’s future: Javier Mendez considers possible opponents

    Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on who Islam Makhachev could face if he manages to win the UFC welterweight championship tomorrow night.

    In the main event of UFC 322, Islam Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight title. If he’s able to get the job done, he will join an exclusive club of fighters who have been able to win world titles in two weight classes in the promotion.

    Of course, Islam Makhachev can’t afford to look past JDM given how dangerous the champion is. With that being said, you would have to imagine that there are plenty of fighters who would be willing to challenge Islam for the belt if he does, in fact, leave Madison Square Garden with the strap.

    In a recent interview, Javier Mendez listed a few names that Islam Makhachev could defend the belt against if that happens.

    Javier Mendez’s view on Islam Makhachev’s future

    “The one guy I think probably deserves it more than everybody, based on his title run when he was the champ, is Kamaru Usman,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “Look what he just did with (Joaquin) Buckley. He stopped the hype train, and did it in impressive fashion. So I would think that his hat has got to be in there as a contender for that title. His title run, being the greatest welterweight of all time, in my opinion, has got to be in there, too.

    “For us, it would suck because we care a lot about the guy, but it’s a business, and whatever is going to happen is going to happen. Even Belal (Muhammad), it is what it is. We didn’t want to fight Belal, but what if Belal wins and we win, and all of a sudden we get offered a fight with him? It’s going to be up to the fighters to decide, but it’s going to suck for us on both of those, if any of those happen.”

    “If you’re asking me what the fans are going to want to see, I’m going to have to go with Topuria,” Mendez said. “If we manage to get the win like we’re expecting and wanting to, I would think that Dana (White) is all about creating the most, biggest buzz, and I think the biggest buzz is Topuria if he goes up in weight – if that’s what happens. So right now, I can see so many different scenarios happening, but those two are the top of the list, in my opinion.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Paddy Pimblett ‘Worthy’ Of Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Paddy Pimblett ‘Worthy’ Of Next UFC Lightweight Title Shot

    Should the UFC grant Paddy Pimblett a surprise title shot following his latest triumph, the coach of champion Islam Makhachev would seemingly be supportive of the decision.

    Pimblett continued to build momentum in his quest to reach the mountaintop on MMA’s biggest stage, decimating Michael Chandler in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 314 pay-per-view.

    “The Baddy” exited Miami’s Kaseya Center with his undefeated promotional record intact, and he’s since risen to #8 in the official lightweight rankings.

    While that’s left plenty of prominent names still ahead of him in the pecking order, the Scouser has been touted for a potential shot at gold next.

    During the latest episode of his podcast, the Javier & Mo Show, coach Javier Mendez was asked about the prospect of Makhachev defending his belt against Pimblett sooner rather than later.

    “Paddy’s ready to face anybody,” Mendez said. “What he’s done already, his credentials, his winning record in the UFC — and his hype, what he can do, how he can motivate people — if they give him the next title shot, he deserves it. … Is he worthy? Yes. He’s very interesting, and he’s got all of England behind him. … I’m a fan.”

  • Cain Velasquez Signs As Global Fight League Team Manager Weeks Before Sentencing For Attempted Murder Charge

    Cain Velasquez Signs As Global Fight League Team Manager Weeks Before Sentencing For Attempted Murder Charge

    Cain Velasquez is now set to channel his fighting spirit into a managerial role with one of the newest MMA organizations on the scene.

    On Friday, the Global Fight League (GFL) revealed in an official statement that former UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez has signed on with the promotion as a team manager. Accompanying him in this venture is his trusted associate, the esteemed American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez, who will take on the role of head coach for Velasquez’s team.

    This announcement comes at a pivotal moment, as Velasquez is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 24 for sentencing related to attempted murder charges. In August 2024, he entered a no-contest plea in a California court to charges including felony attempted murder, assault, and multiple weapons-related offenses arising from a February 2022 altercation.

    The 42-year-old Californian is facing allegations of firing several shots at Harry Goularte, who was allegedly involved in molesting Velasquez’s then-four-year-old son. In the chaos of the high-speed pursuit, Velasquez struck Goularte’s stepfather, Paul Bender, instead.

    Velasquez was arrested without resistance by local authorities and, due to the severity of the charges, spent eight months in incarceration. He was eventually granted bail in November 2022, set at a $1 million bond.

    GFL is set to make its debut in April, though the exact date remains under wraps. Unlike traditional formats, GFL introduces a league-based structure with playoffs, offering a fresh approach by incorporating a team-oriented format, unlike the PFL’s individual-centric model.

    The promotion has already signed an impressive roster of over 300 fighters, many of whom are well-known names from major organizations like the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. Notable fighters such as Paige VanZant, Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, and other prominent figures will headline the action.

  • Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    Khabib’s Coach Picks Paddy Pimblett To Beat Conor McGregor

    There aren’t many fighters that are able to arrive in the UFC and make an immediate impact by being loved or hated. Even fewer are able to then back it up inside the Octagon in order to make a real name for themselves in the sport.

    Two fighters that have done that and continue to produce regular talking points are the biggest star in the history of the sport, Conor McGregor, and one of the most high profile names to follow on from “The Notorious”, Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett. Pimblett has been openly critical of “The Mac” in the past but the two men ever meeting inside the Octagon seems unlikely.

    That being said, Pimblett is continuing to defy expectations with his six-fight win streak in the UFC’s lightweight division which McGregor was formally the champion of. Given the huge profile’s of both men, there’s no denying that a fight between them would be absolutely huge if it even came close to happening.

    Though both men have got their critics, it’s hard to argue with what McGregor has done in the sport as the UFC’s first-ever two-weight champion but that was a long time ago at this stage. As a result, a very experienced coach believes that Pimblett would have the advantage over the Irishman as of right now.

    AKA head coach Javier Mendez previously cornered against McGregor in the biggest UFC fight of all time where he returned to face Khabib Nurmagomedov. In a recent interview with Canada Casino, Mendez stated that he isn’t confident that “The Notorious” is the same guy that produced some of the most memorable moments in UFC history anymore.

    “Paddy and McGregor would be a great fight not just in England but the US too. It’d be a great fight, and I’d favor Paddy because he’s more of a fighter now and I’m not sure if McGregor is anymore. He may come back and prove us wrong but I favor Paddy because of where his state of mind is with fighting. We don’t know if he’s in or out. He might be fantastic in camp but I’m betting not based on what I hear in the inner circles, I’m betting he’s not taking it seriously.”

  • Javier Mendez Snubs Khabib & Makhachev While Naming Best Fighter He’s Trained

    Javier Mendez Snubs Khabib & Makhachev While Naming Best Fighter He’s Trained

    Javier Mendez has had some of the best fighters in the history of MMA walk through his doors at AKA and has had a front row seat to some of the all-time greats at work. In a recent interview with Red Corner MMA, one of the most successful coaches in the game was asked to pick who, of all the great champions he’s worked with, takes the top spot.

    Mendez has got a lot of options to pick from his earlier champions like Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold and Daniel Cormier to more recent examples. Many would assume that Khabib Nurmagomedov or his lightweight heir, the current pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev, would also be in the conversation.

    However, Mendez subverted expectations by naming the cousin of “The Eagle” who is the reigning Bellator lightweight champion. At 18-0 with one no contest, Usman Nurmagomedov is undoubtedly one of the most talented fighters that isn’t currently signed to the UFC.

    His recent comments suggested that he hopes to move across to the Octagon once his teammate, Makhachev, has finished his run at the 155-pound champion so that he can take over in his absence which would be one of the UFC’s biggest signings in some time. Mendez said that whilst Nurmagomedov may not have the same list of accomplishments as the other fighters in the gym, he’s the most talented and is still improving as 26-years old.

    “I see Usman [Nurmagomedov] as being pound-for-pound the greatest fighter myself, he’s got all the attributes. He’s the most talented I’ve ever trained… If at one point he never goes [to the UFC], great. He’s still gonna be regarded as one of the great ones… what he does in that cage is like nobody. I’ve never seen anybody do the transitions, the movement that he does. He’s unbelievable and he’s only 26, he’s only getting better.”

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Breaks Down Potential Ilia Topuria Superfight After UFC 308

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Breaks Down Potential Ilia Topuria Superfight After UFC 308

    Following Ilia Topuria’s successful title defense this past weekend, the coach of UFC lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev has assessed the possibility of a champ vs. champ collision down the line.

    Topuria cemented his grip on the featherweight gold in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 308 pay-per-view, which he headlined opposite fan favorite Max Holloway eight months on from his crowning at the expense of Alexander Volkanovski in Anaheim.

    Like against the Australian, “El Matador” sent “Blessed” to the canvas in brutal fashion, becoming the first to knock the Hawaiian out in the process.

    At just 27 years old, Topuria has already established himself as one of the featherweight division’s all-time greats. And at such a young age, the Georgian-Spaniard has plenty of time to achieve his other ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage.

    That unsurprisingly includes two-division glory, and having already recorded a vicious KO up at 155 pounds back in 2022, Topuria is confident in his chances of adding the UFC lightweight belt to his trophy collection.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Javier Mendez — coach of current lightweight titleholder Makhachev — reacted to Topuria’s triumph in Abu Dhabi.

    The AKA trainer threw praise on the featherweight champ, notably branding his boxing the best in mixed martial arts. With that in mind, he wouldn’t be looking to have Makhachev throw down with the Spaniard in a potential super fight down the line.

    “I mean, when he took Max down with ease in the first round, I said, ‘That’s the way you fight MMA.’ And he has a very strong stand-up game,” Mendez said. “I would think that he’s probably the best boxer in the whole entire division. He’s really crisp and very on point with his boxing, and therefore you see how he uses it really, really well. His boxing, I think, is his best attribute out of everything he does. He’s impressive, very impressive. … I’ve been saying he’s a good boxer. But last night proved to me that he’s the best boxer presently in the UFC. Actually, in the entire world. He’s the best boxer in MMA.

    “That would be an area I’d be foolish to want to try to go up against, boxing for boxing. That’s not a smart move, you know? And it just would be like, if Ilia decided to go submission for submission with Islam, that’s not a smart move on his part either,” Mendez continued. “So, it’s all strategy, and how you approach it, how your fighter approaches it, and, you know, what mistakes you can correct while the fight is going on. That’s what I think is more important than anything. When the fight does get matched, it’s just your gameplan, your strategy, executing it, you know?”

    And if Topuria was to attempt to beat Makhachev at his own game, Mendez warned that he’d be taking on a challenge only achieved by the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

    “The only person that really did the most with him was Khabib. And at the end of the day, the longer you grapple with Islam, the worse it’s going to get,” Mendez concluded.

    The lightweight champ didn’t have much to say in the aftermath of the UFC 308 main event and didn’t address a potential clash with his featherweight counterpart down the line. Instead, Makhachev offered his congratulations to Topuria and some comforting words for the defeated Holloway.

    The Dagestani’s focus, then, is no doubt entirely on the challenge seemingly awaiting him in January 2025, as he prepares to run it back with Arman Tsarukyan.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Uses Rising Lightweight Star Example To Explain Why MMA Is Not A ‘True Sport’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, recently shared his perspective on why he believes mixed martial arts doesn’t qualify as a genuine sport.

    MMA has skyrocketed as one of the most rapidly rising one-on-one competitive sports since the early 2000s, and it’s showing no signs of losing steam. Though it has faced its share of triumphs and challenges since its inception, the sport has steadily transformed, adapting and expanding into a global sensation.

    Despite its polarizing beginnings, MMA has grown into a highly regarded discipline. With standardized guidelines and safeguards in place, strict measures ensure not only the fighters’ safety but also uphold the integrity of the competition as a whole.

    However, Mendez, while pointing to Paddy Pimblett as a prime example, explains why he believes MMA has yet to fully qualify as a true sport.

    Mendez Thinks MMA Fans Gravitate Toward ‘Must-Watch TV’ Matchups

    During a recent episode of his podcast on YouTube, Mendez shared his thoughts on the UFC light heavyweight title bout between reigning champion Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree. He also addressed the controversy surrounding “The War Horse’s” legitimacy as a true contender.

    The American Kickboxing Academy founder defended Rountree’s deserving place in the title picture, but the conversation quickly shifted to a broader critique of why he believes MMA—and boxing—don’t qualify as true sports.

    According to Mendez, in MMA, particularly within the UFC, fan favorite and the most popular fighters often dictate who gets to fight them next, driven more by audience demand than by merit alone – like most other sports would be.

    “How many times do I say this is not a true sport? It’s [MMA] never been a true sport,” Mendez questioned. “Boxing is also not a true sport either and never will be, as long as people can choose who they want to put on because pay-per-view numbers and eyeballs on the screen create this situation. Boxing too, because if it were a true sport, you wouldn’t have people in the WBA or WBC saying, ‘I’m not fighting that guy.’ They win a WBA title, and the next thing you know, they don’t want to fight certain opponents, so they move on. Why? Because they can. Is it a true sport? No, because if it’s a true sport, you would fight X amount against X amount.”

    The renowned MMA coach went on to say he wouldn’t be shocked if Pimblett gets the next crack at the UFC lightweight title. He explained that “The Baddy” is a fan-favorite with undeniable star power, drawing in massive attention, and the fans want to see him at the top.

    “This is not that way. Paddy Pimblett doesn’t deserve to be there. A lot of people think, ‘Yeah, well, you know what, if Paddy gets the next title fight, good for him. They’ll tell me he does deserve it.’ A lot of people want to watch him; he’s very entertaining. He’s a must-watch TV, you know, so you watch him because he’s a must-watch TV. He creates the need, you want… Paddy’s a needle mover.”

  • Umar Nurmagomedov’s Coach On Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Cain Velasquez In The Bantamweight Division’

    Umar Nurmagomedov’s Coach On Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Cain Velasquez In The Bantamweight Division’

    Umar Nurmagomedov’s coach recently heaped praise on Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless fighting style.

    “The Machine” turned in arguably the best performance of his career when it mattered most, dominating Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306 last weekend at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, to claim the 135-pound title.

    The bout played out precisely as many experts had foreseen, with Dvalishvili applying relentless aggression from the opening bell to the final horn. His barrage of takedowns and commanding grappling exchanges completely neutralized O’Malley’s striking arsenal.

    Dvalishvili was all gas, no brakes, taking “Suga” down at will and dictating the pace for the majority of the contest. By the end, the victor was clear, with Dvalishvili claiming UFC gold via a decisive unanimous decision from the judges.

    Following Dvalishvili’s victory, a whirlwind of speculation has erupted over who will step up as the Georgian’s first title challenger. Throughout fight week, the newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion has consistently floated Deiveson Figueiredo as the most deserving opponent. At the same time, Dvalishvili has shown a noticeable disinclination to face the undefeated Nurmagomedov next.

    Mendez Foresees How Potential Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov Clash Would Play Out

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez was asked to weigh in on how a potential title showdown between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov might unfold. The renowned MMA coach lauded ‘The Machine’s’ incredible cardio, predicting that the reigning champion would present a formidable challenge for his protégé. However, he noted that the Dagestani has certain advantages that could shift the momentum in his direction.

    “It’s going to be fought on the standup, it’s going to be fought on the ground,” Mendez said. “I believe we’re sharper on the stand-up. I believe we’re sharper on the ground. I believe what he has is incredible cardio, and that’s a big part that’s to his advantage. I don’t know of anybody in the bantamweight division that has that kind of advantage. He’s got incredible cardio, so if you’re going to go with him and it’s going to go five rounds, you’ve got to be prepared to go five hard first rounds because that’s what this guy is all about. He’s got an incredible gas tank; he kind of reminds me of Cain Velasquez in the bantamweight division.”

    Mendez went on to reveal that Nurmagomedov is poised to be the next challenger for Dvalishvili’s title. According to him, discussions for the potential showdown are already underway, though he expressed some uncertainty about how things will unfold in the near future.

    “As far as I know, it [the fight] is being offered. It’s just a matter of whether they can work out the deal. You never know what’s going on behind the scenes, right? So even though I’m telling you this, it may be something else. I do know that we are supposed to be the next challengers after this [Noche UFC 306]. That’s why he [Nurmagomedov] was there. Why did they show him as the next challenger for the title? Why did Joe Rogan even bring it up if they weren’t trying to build up the next fight? It’s the next fight. Now, will it happen? Let’s see.”

    Nurmagomedov is riding a six-fight undefeated streak in the Octagon and is fresh off a commanding unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi this past August.

    The younger cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has been campaigning for a title shot ever since his last victory, but Dvalishvili has put his challenge on ice. Now, only time will reveal who the reigning champion selects as his next opponent.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach: ‘King’ Belal Muhammad Turned The Tables On UFC

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach: ‘King’ Belal Muhammad Turned The Tables On UFC

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, recently expressed that Belal Muhammad has earned the right to dictate his own terms now that he has claimed the UFC welterweight championship.

    “Remember the Name” made waves by toppling 170-pound champion Leon Edwards with a commanding unanimous decision victory at UFC 304 this past July in Manchester. The highly anticipated rematch followed their initial clash in March 2021, which ended in controversy when an accidental eye poke in the second round forced Muhammad out, resulting in a no contest.

    Muhammad has invariably demonstrated his dominance in the Octagon, as highlighted by his remarkable 11-fight unbeaten streak. But he has struggled to earn the respect he deserves.

    However, now that the 36-year-old Chicago native has claimed the title, he’s elevated his trash-talking game and flipped the script on his critics. Mendez fully supports the shift, believing Muhammad has earned the right to bask in the spotlight…

    Mendez On Muhammad’s New Attitude: ‘They Belittled Him, Now Belal Is The Man’

    During a recent episode of the Javier Mendez Podcast, the esteemed MMA coach shared his thoughts on Muhammad’s shift in approach after capturing the UFC welterweight title. Mendez remarked that despite being overlooked for years, even with an impressive win streak, Muhammad has now rightfully earned the power to dictate his own path.

    “Look at Belal Muhammad, look at what he had to do,” Mendez said. “That poor guy had to do everything, waiting; he was undefeated for how many fights, and he’s knocking on the door, and everybody was like, ‘Oh, he didn’t deserve it,’ and he kept pushing. He finally got his shot, and he did what he needed to do—he won a decisive victory over Leon Edwards. And now, it’s like, who’s doing all the talking? Now Belal is doing all the chirping because they belittled him, and now Belal is the man. Now he’s in charge, and I kind of love what he’s doing because it was done to him.”

    Mendez further added that now, as a champion, “Remember the Name” has the power to pick his next opponent.

    “He bided his time, and now he’s the king. I don’t care what you say—he can do whatever he wants, chirp as much as he wants. He can chirp all he wants because he’s the champ, and that was done to him. He got his opportunity, and he rose to the occasion, coming out with the victory. So now he’s the champ, and now he’s calling the shots like he wants to. Obviously, at the end of the day, the UFC decides who they’re going to give him, but he can decide the date. If he turns down an opponent, then obviously he doesn’t have to fight that opponent, but I don’t think Belal is going to do that. Right now, why not have fun with it like he’s doing?”

    Muhammad has embraced the idea of defending his title against Shavkat Rakhmonov, all while engaging in a fiery social media exchange with Kamaru Usman. The question of who will stand across from Muhammad for his first title defense remains up in the air, and only time will reveal his next challenger.

  • DC’s Coach Disputes Jon Jones GOAT Talk With One Name: Lance Armstrong

    DC’s Coach Disputes Jon Jones GOAT Talk With One Name: Lance Armstrong

    Daniel Cormier’s coach, Javier Mendez, recently stirred the debate around Jon Jones’ GOAT status by invoking a comparison to Lance Armstrong.

    In recent months, the conversation surrounding the pound-for-pound greatest MMA fighter of all time has intensified, with Jones’ name consistently leading the discussion. UFC CEO Dana White has been especially vocal, passionately championing the reigning heavyweight kingpin’s place at the top of the all-time rankings.

    Jones etched his name in the history books as the youngest champion in UFC history, seizing the light heavyweight title at just 23 years old with a commanding victory over Mauricio Rua at UFC 128 in March 2011. Since that momentous win, “Bones” has stepped into the octagon for 15 title fights, emerging victorious in every single one, save for the no-contest in his rematch against Cormier at UFC 214 in July 2017.

    Jones’ resume is arguably unmatched in the sport, but his illustrious career has been marred by a series of high-profile scandals, most notably his positive test for the banned substance turinabol. This tainted legacy is precisely why Mendez believes that, despite his achievements, Jones is unworthy of the GOAT status…

    Mendez Asserts Jones’ Doping Test ‘Disqualifies’ Him From GOAT Status

    During a recent episode of the Javier Mendez Podcast, the renowned MMA coach weighed in on White’s persistent endorsement of Jones as the GOAT. Mendez drew a striking comparison between “Bones” and legendary cyclist Armstrong, who famously won the Tour de France a record seven times, only to have all his titles and accolades stripped away following his admission to using performance-enhancing drugs.

    “Dana is still insisting that Jon Jones is pound-for-pound #1,” Mendez said. “He has his valid points, but my valid point is I just want to say one thing: Lance Armstrong. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France how many times, and basically, he got all those titles taken away from him because of one thing—doping. And even though it was many years later that they caught him, he lost all the Tour de France titles. Well, it’s been a fact, it’s been proven, Jon Jones has been caught doping. So, I’m sorry, I think that disqualifies him just based on that alone.”

    “Bones” has been inactive since his move to the heavyweight division in March 2023, where he made a triumphant debut by securing a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 to clinch the vacant title.

    Jones was initially set to make his first title defense against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November 2023. However, just days before the fight, the heavyweight champ had to pull out due to a shoulder injury. Now, the highly anticipated clash between the two is rumored to headline UFC 309, scheduled for November.

  • Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach ‘Very, Very Impressed’ With UFC 305 Fighter: ‘Unbelievable, Calm, Relaxed…’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach ‘Very, Very Impressed’ With UFC 305 Fighter: ‘Unbelievable, Calm, Relaxed…’

    Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, lavished Carlos Prates with accolades for his standout performance against Li Jingliang at UFC 305.

    Prates added another show-stopping finish to his resume last weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, where he made history by becoming the first to knock out Chinese veteran Jingliang.

    “The Nightmare” wielded his straight left like a guided missile, landing it repeatedly throughout the night and forcing Jingliang to retreat towards the fence. Once “The Leech” was cornered in the second round, the Brazilian unleashed a devastating right hook, immediately followed by a thunderous left hook that shattered Jingliang’s defenses and sent him collapsing to the canvas.

    With three fights and three spectacular finishes in the UFC, coupled with an impressive performance on Dana White’s Contender Series that secured his contract, Prates has swiftly become a fan favorite, even earning the admiration of Mendez, thanks to his lethal striking artistry…

    Mendez Hails Prates’ Striking As ‘Something To Behold’

    During a recent video on his YouTube channel, Mendez shared his admiration for Prates’ performance at UFC 305. The head coach at American Kickboxing Academy praised ‘The Nightmare’ for his elite striking skills, which he noted are seamlessly combined with an impressive fight IQ. Mendez also expressed his eagerness to see more of Prates, especially his ground game, in future bouts.

    “You remember I told you I never seen Carlos Prates?” Mendez said. “And what an unbelievable, calm, relaxed sniper that guy is. When he hurt Li, he didn’t even go for the kill; he kept his distance and kept picking him apart. I was so, so impressed with him, and now I understand why he was the favorite and why they’re so high on him. This guy, his striking—man, he’s something to behold. Let’s see what he does with the ground game, because there was no ground game with Li Jingliang.”

    “He didn’t even try to take him down, and he’s never been stopped either, so this guy just kept picking him apart, you know, with sniper shots. I mean, God, it was unbelievable. I was very, very impressed with his fight IQ—very impressive fighter. Looking forward to seeing him again. Next time I see something with him on it, I’ll definitely tune in because he’s impressive to watch.”

    “The Nightmare” has now demolished nine consecutive opponents by knockout, including every one of his Octagon appearances, with no opponent surviving beyond the second round. With such explosive knockout prowess, Prates is positioning himself as a formidable force in the UFC, with a bright future as a serious title contender on the horizon.

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Discusses Potential Middleweight Title Fight Against Du Plessis Or Adesanya

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Discusses Potential Middleweight Title Fight Against Du Plessis Or Adesanya

    Islam Makhachev will have been happy to see Belal Muhammad become the welterweight champion at UFC 304 after the training they have done together in the past.

    However, there is a sense that this result messed with the future plans of the lightweight champion.

    Had Leon Edwards defeated Muhammad and secured his third title defense, Makhachev would have been high on the list of his potential challengers having laid out his ambition to become a two-weight world champion in the near future.

    He now finds himself in a similar situation as to the one Kamaru Usman had during his welterweight title reign where he wanted a second belt but a friend of his, Israel Adesanya in Usman’s case, is the champion of the weight class above.

    Just like how Usman briefly flirted with the idea of skipping over Adesanya’s division to jump up two weight classes instead, Makhachev has mentioned competing at middleweight.

    Javier Mendez Gives His Take On Islam Makhachev Fighting At Middleweight

    Though the idea was brushed off by the current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis, maybe there is a future where Makhachev moves from 155 to 185.

    He still has contenders to face in his own division and is set to be out for a bit longer due to a recently disclosed hand injury but the lightweight king has big ambitions.

    In an interview with Submission Radio, his coach Javier Mendez spoke about what this would mean for Makhachev, revealing that whilst nothing serious has taken place, they have spoken about the idea.

    “Islam said that middleweight would be kind of something but he’d have to put on some muscle so this is not just me, this is Islam thinking the same thing that yeah if it did ever come through, so it’s really not ideally something that we’re really looking at but it was something that was discussed but he’d have to put on some size if that was ever to happen.”

    Mendez went on to say that whilst it would obviously be a tough and unheard of task to accomplish, he can understand why Makhachev would want to do it because it would define his legacy.

    “If he was able to pull something like that off, if that ever was materialized and he did pull it off, that would put him in the top three pound-for-pound of all time.”

    Read also: Belal Muhammad: There’s ‘Turmoil’ Between Leon Edwards & Coach After UFC 304 Loss

  • Javier Mendez Downplays ‘The Eagle’s’ Part In Belal Muhammad Title Win: ‘Khabib Only Put In A Week…’

    Javier Mendez Downplays ‘The Eagle’s’ Part In Belal Muhammad Title Win: ‘Khabib Only Put In A Week…’

    During Belal Muhammad’s current winning streak which now sees him at the top of the welterweight division, a lot has been made about the company he has chosen to keep.

    “Remember The Name” has got a solid and small team around him but he has also decided in recent times to do some work alongside the likes of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.

    This was especially true heading into Muhammad’s fight with Sean Brady, which produced his best performance inside the Octagon at that time.

    It was also a part of the narrative heading into his title fight with Leon Edwards last month.

    Whilst the champion at the time had dealt with American wrestlers in Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, how would he match-up with someone that has been training with some of the best grapplers in the sport?

    Javier Mendez Says Belal Muhammad’s Coaches Deserve More Credit For UFC 304 Win

    In a recent interview with Submission Radio, AKA head coach Javier Mendez said that people got too carried away with giving ‘coach Khabib’ credit for Muhammad’s recent title win.

    Whilst the welterweight challenger did manage to get some work in with “The Eagle” before heading to Manchester, Mendez revealed that it was only for a very small amount of time in the grand scheme of the training camp.

    He said that while Nurmagomedov did contribute and would have added some extra value, the credit for this win on the coaching side of things deserves to be aimed at Muhammad’s long-time team instead.

    “What about his coaches? What about Lou? What about his other coaches? Mike Valley, you know, what about them? I mean they were with him through this whole time so to me, it isn’t anything other than what they did as coaching staff because Khabib only put like maybe a week – two weeks to help him on this one and the rest he spent with his coaches. So, to me, I don’t like the narrative when they make it look like Khabib made the big difference when yeah he helped him but his coaches made the difference.”

    Read also: Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin

  • Coach On Donald Trump Calling Khabib Nurmagomedov Favorite UFC Fighter

    Coach On Donald Trump Calling Khabib Nurmagomedov Favorite UFC Fighter

    Shortly after his latest corner assignment in Abu Dhabi last Saturday, Khabib Nurmagomedov received some kind words from a figure that has been on record as a big fan of his.

    The former US President Donald Trump has always been tied to the sport of MMA to some degree and just like any fight fan, he has his favorites.

    Trump has mentioned the former lightweight champion in the past and even posted on social media about it, after meeting him whilst in attendance at UFC 302.

    During a recent stream alongside Adin Ross, he said that “The Eagle” is number one on his own personal list.

    Nurmagomedov’s long-time coach turned fellow corner Javier Mendez gave his reaction to this in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA.

    “No I haven’t seen it and I’m not surprised, Donald Trump has spoken always highly about Khabib and what a great fighter he thinks and also, Donald Trump from the very beginning back when the UFC just started and they would get into the Trump Towers, their hotels and Donald Trump was one of the few people that took a chance on them back in the day. So, Donald Trump’s an MMA fan so not surprising that he would choose ‘The Eagle’ because we all choose ‘The Eagle’, I choose ‘The Eagle’.”

    Javier Mendez On Why The UFC Decided To Release New Conor McGregor & Khabib Nurmagomedov Footage

    On July 15, the UFC released the latest episode of their “UFC Muted” series on YouTube which strips away the commentary so you can hear audio from fights that wasn’t possible before.

    The subject of this particular instalment was sure to bring attention due to it being no-commentary clips of the biggest fight in UFC history, Conor McGregor vs “The Eagle”.

    Mendez was asked to give his thoughts on why the UFC decided to release this footage at this time in particular.

    He explained how in his opinion, this was done to keep Nurmagomedov in the spotlight ahead of his return to the corner this past weekend, where he helped his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov to stay undefeated against Cory Sandhagen in the main event.

    He said that the promotion knows what they’re doing and if they can’t have the former champion back inside the Octagon, they’ll look to make the most out of his star quality in other ways.

    “I believe the UFC’s genius at what they do. I believe they’re building the ‘young eagle’ situation because Khabib was in the corner and they showed the corner. Why would you show the corners if you’re not trying to build that as a corner. So no, UFC, they go with the algorithm, they know what they’re doing and I believe that’s what they’re doing. They’re building up Khabib as the next great coach and he is. He’s on track to being the next great coach if not the greatest coach. So I believe the UFC is playing that narrative because that’s a smart move on their part.”

    Read also: Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin

  • Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin

    Javier Mendez Chooses Between Khabib & Umar Nurmagomedov In Striking, Grappling, Mental Toughness, & Chin

    Islam Makhachev may have picked up where the great Khabib Nurmagomedov left off with dominating the lightweight division, but his legacy has also been continued by his own family.

    There are a lot of parallels in the careers of Khabib and his younger cousin Umar Nurmagomedov.

    Both have been incredibly dominant inside the Octagon but during their climbs, were held back by injuries and issues with finding opponents.

    Eventually, “The Eagle” was undeniable and proved himself to be a top-tier lightweight and that’s what happened in the bantamweight division with Umar this past weekend.

    His win over Cory Sandhagen means that just like Islam and his cousin before him, he’s arrived at the top at long last.

    Javier Mendez Says Khabib Was A Better Grappler But Umar Nurmagomedov Is Already A Better Striker

    In a recent interview with The Schmo, AKA head coach Javier Mendez was asked to compare Umar and Khabib as fighters, given where the undefeated 135-pound contender is at right now.

    Mendez is very high on Umar’s potential and went on to say that with Islam being four years older than him, Khabib’s cousin could go on to claim the position of being the number 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world at some stage.

    He spoke about what separates the two cousins, by running down which one has the edge in terms of their skill set and toughness.

    “Well as far as skills at this juncture of their careers, that’s a tough one you hit me with. I would say that Khabib’s ground is still top notch. Umar’s ground is great but Khabib was just another level but again, Khabib’s stand up wasn’t up to where Umar’s is on par. But, as far as their mental, their mental is fairly comparable. Khabib’s chin’s granite, I’ve never seen anybody have a chin like Khabib. Umar has got a great chin as he proved from the last fight when he got dropped and he was able to go for the takedown as he was being dropped but I guess the chin level would have to go with Khabib but the mental toughness, I think they’re pretty equal, mental toughness. I mean Umar is a tough customer man.”

    Read also: Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Not Happy’ With Performance Against Cory Sandhagen At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi: ‘I Thought I Would Maul Him’

  • Javier Mendez Describes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Evolution As A Coach: ‘He Even Demonstrates Striking Techniques To Perfection’

    Javier Mendez Describes Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Evolution As A Coach: ‘He Even Demonstrates Striking Techniques To Perfection’

    The biggest fight of Umar Nurmagomedov’s career goes down this weekend and he will have his family right beside him for it.

    He faces Cory Sandhagen in the main event in Abu Dhabi, where the former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will be in his corner.

    After achieving great success as a coach after his retirement, “The Eagle” decided to take a step back for a while before returning to corner Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.

    He’s now agreed with AKA head coach Javier Mendez that he will corner certain fighters including Makhachev and his own cousins, in undefeated bantamweight contender Umar and the Bellator lightweight champion Usman.

    Mendez spoke on fight week about how despite Khabib having some areas to improve as a corner, his ability as a coach is already top notch.

    Javier Mendez Says Khabib Nurmagomedov Even Coaches Striking Perfectly

    In a recent interview with Helen Yee Sports, Mendez spoke about what it’s like to have coach Khabib back working with him in the corner.

    He said that Nurmagomedov, in many ways, has taken up his late father’s mantle in being a figure for all the other fighters in the gym to follow and listen to.

    “Khabib is more the leader, he runs everything just like his father did and I come in and I do my little bits here and there. For the most part, I do what I’ve been always doing. I come in and I do my thing and Khabib, in all honesty, has always been coaching these guys even when he was fighting.

    “so the only difference this time around for Umar is now he gets to have the great one in his corner also so having him in the corner with me is fantastic. My only thing when he corners is he’s going to go crazy.”

    Whilst having Nurmagomedov in the corner is obviously a massive asset, Mendez did say that he has had to give his former student some words of advice in regards to keeping his composure whilst being in the corner.

    He said that this is his only real feedback though as the former champion has got all other bases covered, including his ability to teach striking.

    “Those are little tiny things that I give him, little things like that, everything else he has. His instruction is great, I mean he even demonstrates the striking techniques to perfection now. He knows. Khabib knows.”

    Read also: UFC Fight Night: Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Ceremonial Weigh-In Live Stream

  • Javier Mendez Insists Conor McGregor Would ‘Not Be An Easy Night’s Work’ For Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez Insists Conor McGregor Would ‘Not Be An Easy Night’s Work’ For Islam Makhachev

    Javier Mendez recently remarked that a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev would be anything but an easy task for the reigning UFC lightweight champion.

    “The Notorious” has proven to be a relentless nemesis for fighters from Mendez’s American Kickboxing Academy, particularly underscored by his tempestuous rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov, which culminated in the historic UFC 229 showdown in October 2018.

    After Nurmagomedov retired from the UFC in October 2020, his trusted ally and training partner Makhachev emerged to inherit his reign over the lightweight division. Concurrently, McGregor has continued to stoke the flames of their rivalry, relentlessly targeting Makhachev with a series of provocative comments on social media.

    As one of the most iconic figures in UFC history, the former two-division champion captivates vast audiences with his every move. Mendez envisions a potential showdown between McGregor and Makhachev as an unparalleled spectacle…

    Mendez Believes Makhachev vs. McGregor Could Be The Ultimate Potential Showdown

    During a recent conversation with Instant Casino, Mendez likened a potential Makhachev vs. McGregor showdown to the grudge match between the Irishman and Nurmagomedov. The 53-year-old MMA coach suggested that this clash could generate a level of hype comparable to UFC 229.

    “I love Islam vs. Conor McGregor; who wouldn’t want to be involved in a fight that would have an electrifying atmosphere?” Mendez said. “That is a great fight for us and for the fans. One of the greatest feelings I had in my whole entire life was when Khabib and Conor fought because of the real hatred between both sides.”

    However, Mendez emphasized that “The Notorious” brings a wealth of experience and exceptional skills to the Octagon, cautioning that Makhachev should not anticipate a walk in the park.

    “But Conor would not be an easy [night’s] work for Islam because you have to respect the man; he’s got a lot of experience, and the only way you make it an easy night is because you train hard — but it will never be an easy night with a guy like Conor. You better train your butt off because he’s a real fighter, and if he’s going (to) come in prepared, it’s never going to be easy.”

    After nearly three years away from the Octagon, McGregor was primed for a highly anticipated comeback last month, set to clash with Michael Chandler in a welterweight bout headlining UFC 303.

    However, just weeks before the showdown, the excitement was abruptly cut short when McGregor revealed he had sustained a toe injury, forcing him to withdraw from the competition.

    The UFC superstar has not fought since July 2021 when he suffered a devastating leg fracture in the first round of his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.

  • Javier Mendez On Khabib Nurmagomedov Getting Them Into Trouble With The Authorities While Cornering At UFC 302: ‘The Commission Kept Yelling At Us!’

    Islam Makhachev successfully defend his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302 but it wasn’t an easy night for the champion.

    Dustin Poirier came in as a big underdog and was able to make the fight competitive due to a lot of it playing out on the feet.

    The fight also saw the former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov return to his long-time training partner’s corner for this fight.

    As pointed out on commentary during the main event, “The Eagle” was incredibly animated during some of the rounds after Makhachev showed a willingness to stand and strike with Poirier.

    Though the champion got the better of many of the exchanges, boxing with “The Diamond” was always going to be the best chance that the challenger had to win the fight.

    Mendez Says Khabib’s Passion Led To Corner Receiving Multiple Warnings From The Commission 

    During his podcast, coach Javier Mendez recapped the fight and how he felt Makhachev performed in Newark.

    Mendez stated that he was happy with the work that his fighter did in the exchanges with Poirier but was still aware of the danger in doing so, as was proven by some of the shots that the former interim champion landed.

    The AKA head coach stated that the commission in New Jersey were constantly warning their corner to settle down due to Nurmagomedov’s actions during the fight where he repeatedly called for Makhachev to initiate the grappling.

    It has been a while since the former champion was working the corner and Mendez said that he forgot just how passionate “The Eagle” gets when he’s coaching his fighters.

    “I had Khabib in the corner going crazy on me. Like, I forgot how crazy he is in the corner, so nuts man. I’m like, I’m trying to calm him down and say hey, don’t worry, don’t worry, just scream loud but, ‘No coach, I have…’ but that’s his style, that’s his dad’s style, that’s his style. But I’m trying to get him to settle down a little bit, so the commission kept yelling at us, ‘Sit down! Sit down! Sit down!’ And it almost reminded me of the old style. But Khabib’s an unbelievable corner, he gives unbelievable advice.”      

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Outlines Flaw With Sean Strickland’s Performance At UFC 302: ‘Great Fighter, But…’

    The UFC 302 co-main event produced the kind of Sean Strickland performance that UFC fans have become very accustomed to at this stage.

    Strickland defeated Paulo Costa via a split decision at the end of five rounds following a fairly lacklustre fight.

    The former middleweight champion fought out of his standard defensive shell, constantly walked down his opponent and kept his strikes simple with jabs, the occasional combination and front kicks.

    Despite Costa being unable to land anything too significant aside from some leg kicks and body punches, the rounds were still close because despite taking little damage, Strickland didn’t open up.

    This was something that his corner were clearly concerned by following their defeats to Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis, where despite thinking that their fighter had done enough, they lost a decision following some very close rounds.

    Mendez Says Strickland Needed To Open Up More Against Costa, Credits Coach Nicksick For Urgency 

    There was no change in approach from Strickland even as Costa started to slow down which could have come back to bite him.

    His head coach, Eric Nicksick, was very clear heading into the fifth round that he needed to clearly win the final five minutes just in case the scorecards were close.

    Strickland opened up more as the fight came to a close and landed some eye-catching strikes that sealed the deal for him.

    During his podcast recap of the event, Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez spoke about Strickland and his defensive style.

    He pointed out how it was a great call from Nicksick to stress urgency after how close the former champion’s style can make fights look.

    “Sean Strickland is a great fighter but unfortunately, for me, he pressured, he pressured, he was in control but it wasn’t until his corner gave him great advice, Eric Nicksick is a great coach, he told him ‘hey, I need you to finish strong’, this and that and he didn’t really finish strong until the very very end and actually that’s what solidified that fight for him because that’s what gave him that round. But up to that point, because you don’t know how the judges are judging these fights. It’s ridiculous the way they were judging this fight so he did it correct, he did great cornering.”    

  • MMA News Today: Islam Makhachev’s Coach Identifies Incorrect Corner Advice To Dustin Poirier During UFC 302 War, Conor McGregor Caught Abusing Rival Alcohol Brand On Social Media, & More

    Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For June 3, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

    • Javier Mendez says Poirier was in danger in the middle of the Octagon
    • McGregor gets passionate about stout
    • Fans will need to wait a bit longer to see McGregor and Chandler trade words

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Says Dustin Poirier’s Corner Made A Mistake When Warning Him About Takedowns

    Dustin Poirier’s takedown and submission defense held up for most of his main event clash with Islam Makhachev this past weekend.

    Though the lightweight champion eventually found a way through in the fifth round where he locked up a D’Arce choke, Poirier was able to be more competitive than many thought.

    However, Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez believes that the corner of “The Diamond” made a crucial mistake when giving advice to their fighter.

    Poirier’s coaches told him that he needed to do whatever he could to avoid being against the cage, as long as he was out in the middle, the grappling wasn’t as much of a threat.

    Mendez said on his podcast that the issue with this advice was that Makhachev was still able to get takedowns in the middle of the cage, as he did in the final round, where he had more room to work.

    “Yeah see that was bad, I would have never said that because it was like what happened? You got taken out in the middle. You’re all good? No, you’re not good, they should have said something else. But, you know, in your mind sometimes you get stuck saying those things.”  

    Conor McGregor Launches Tirade Against Guinness On Social Media 

    In 2018, Conor McGregor entered the drinks business with his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey and had no problem calling out some of the top names in this particular field.

    “The Notorious” has never been one to shy away from tearing others down where he sees necessary and now, he has a new target in his sights.

    Last year, McGregor’s second foray into the alcoholic beverage market came with Forged Irish Stout which appears to have taken off in similar fashion to his first product.

    Rather than his fellow Irish whiskey brands, the Irishman is now focused on going after Guinness, as shown by Andy Hickey MMA on X.

    The “Guinness Community” Facebook group has had several posts from McGregor, one promoting his own product whilst the other looks to call out the inventor of the popular stout brand, Arthur Guinness.

    UFC 303 Press Conference Called Off, Conor McGregor & Michael Chandler Set To Meet At A Later Unconfirmed Date 

    On the same day that it was set to take place, the press conference for UFC 303 was announced to not be going ahead.

    Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were set to come face-to-face for the first time since The Ultimate Fighter at a sold-out 3Arena in Dublin.

    Though the tickets were free, fans were still disappointed for the announcement to be made on such short notice due to travel and accommodation costs.

    Chandler was reportedly informed that it wouldn’t be going ahead yesterday before getting a flight over to Ireland to promote International Fight Week.

    An email has also been sent out to ticket holders to inform them that their tickets will still be valid once the event is rescheduled.

    No reason has been given as of yet as to why the press conference has been postponed on such short notice though some have suggested that is due to on-going protests that are currently happening in Dublin.

    For more MMA news, check out:

  • Islam Makhachev’s Coach Outlines Why He Feels Dustin Poirier’s Calf Kicks Won’t Be ‘As Big A Deal’ In UFC 302 Fight

    Islam Makhachev’s Coach Outlines Why He Feels Dustin Poirier’s Calf Kicks Won’t Be ‘As Big A Deal’ In UFC 302 Fight

    A lot of the talk surrounding Dustin Poirier’s best chances of winning the lightweight title at UFC 302 are about his boxing.

    Of course, keeping the fight standing against someone like Islam Makhachev will not be easy, not to mention the champion’s always improving striking game.

    But if there is one clear area that “The Diamond” has the advantage in, it’s his speed, accuracy, timing and power when letting his hands go.

    Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez recognised this in a recent interview whilst talking about another key area that Poirier may have an advantage in.

    Javier Mendez Says He Isn’t Worried About Dustin Poirier’s Leg Kicks At UFC 302

    When asked during an interview on the Weighing In podcast where he feels that Poirier holds any advantages in this fight, Mendez obviously mentioned Poirier’s boxing.

    Another one of the challenger’s best weapons is his low calf kick which he then uses to set up his boxing combinations.

    These were especially crucial in his previous two fights with Conor McGregor which really showed how Poirier is able to use these two main weapons in unison.

    It’s something that Mendez and the coaches are very wary of but they’re not necessarily concerned about ahead of this fight.

    The American Kickboxing Academy coach said that Makhachev isn’t an easy target for leg kicks, let alone the potential of him being able to secure a takedown if he catches Poirier off balance.

    “Low calf kick is dangerous from him also, very very dangerous because he likes to throw it. But Islam is actually fairly adapt at low calf kicks so it’s not going to be as big a deal unless he catches a good one, which could happen. It could happen but Islam knows how to defend the low calf kick.”    

  • Mendez: Khabib & Makhachev Would ‘Dominate’ Charles Oliveira

    Javier Mendez is confident that both of his pupils in Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would beat Charles Oliveira with ease.

    Oliveira is the current UFC lightweight champion and defended his belt for the first time in December with a submission win over Dustin Poirier. He is now likely to face Justin Gaethje sometime in the spring or summer. And should he win that, a bout against the winner of Makhachev-Beneil Dariush will be next.

    Although Oliveira has looked dominant since he became the champ, American Kickboxing head coach Javier Mendez believes the former champ Nurmagomedov as well as Makhachev would be able to defeat the Brazilian.

    “I know they both would beat Charles, in my opinion… Stylistically wise, Islam could strike, he can kick. Khabib wasn’t a great kicker,” Mendez said on his YouTube channel. “Khabib would have to go straight to the grappling with Charles and probably dominate him there. As a matter of fact, I know he would. I know Khabib would dominate him there. And I kind of feel, my personal opinion, as great as Charles is, I think Islam would dominate him there too.”

    Charles Oliveira
    USA Today

    Of course, Nurmagomedov is retired and doesn’t seem too interested in ever returning to the Octagon again. However, there is a very real chance Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira fight in 2022 so we can see if the Dagestani fighter would really beat the Brazilian and become the new champion.

    In order for him to even get the title shot, he will need to defeat Dariush in the main event of a Fight Night card on February 26. This is easier said than done, as Dariush has been on an incredible run. However, Mendez believes it is only a matter of time before Makhachev does what his longtime friend and teammate did: become the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

    Do you think Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov would beat Charles Oliveira?

  • Javier Mendez Explains Jake Paul’s Claim Of Training With Khabib & AKA

    Jake Paul has been teasing a transition to MMA, which he recently stated would include training with AKA.

    Jake Paul has taken the world of boxing by storm. He burst onto the scene and began to dismantle former UFC fighters one by one. Now, he is teasing a transition to MMA to continue his rise in combat sports.

    Recently, he teased that he will be joining the top MMA gym American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). This is the home gym for UFC greats Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, and Cain Velasquez. Head coach of AKA Javier Mendez addressed this rumor of Paul joining the team in an interview with The Schmo.

    “It could happen. But like anybody, we have to go through all the coaches and all the fighters that are here,” Mendez explained. “And anybody that’s a famous athlete like him, they would go through the routine that everybody does. So he would have to get voted by everybody—not everybody. If there’s one person in particular that doesn’t want him here for that particular reason, he can’t be here.”

    Although Mendez is impressed with what Paul has been able to do so far in the boxing world, that doesn’t mean he will have the same effect in MMA. AKA has been the home to many top-ranked UFC fighters over the years but the addition of Paul could make some new waves for the gym. Mendez likes the fire Paul has lit for himself so far but says there have yet to be any actual discussions of Paul joining the team.

    “First of all, he’s never asked. What he’s done is he’s marketed himself out there beautifully,” Mendez said. “I love the plug he gave us. I think it was a fantastic plug, and I think he is a fantastic person, and I think that he markets himself fantastic. I love what he does. He creates interest. How could you not like a guy who creates interest?”

    Although there seems to be some level of interest from both parties, the deal to have Paul join the likes of Nurmagmoedov is far from set. Paul was involved with a public spat with AKA alum Daniel Cormier last year. The animosity between these two could be one thing that prevents the YouTuber from joining the AKA ranks, as everyone at AKA would have to sign off on his membership.

    “I sent him a text of encouragement, a heartfelt message. I felt it was the right type of message to send because it was legit,” Mendez said. “And he, in turn, returned the favor by talking about training with us. But the reality is that no matter who you are, it could be the greatest fighter whatever you still have to go through the team to consent to train with us.”

    Would you like to see Paul join AKA and begin his MMA career under Mendez and Nurmagomedov?