Javier Mendez News
Islam Makhachev's coach teases possibility of going for middleweight title to become champ-champ
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2024
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev believes his fighter could have a unique path to becoming a champ-champ. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but he is good friends with the welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, as the two have also trained with one another in the past. With that, Makhachev has said he won’t fight Muhammad, but instead, Mendez thinks Makhachev is good enough to jump all the way to middleweight and win that belt.
Javier Mendez reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov's evolution as a coach
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024
Javier Mendez has revealed how his student Khabib Nurmagomedov has managed to evolve as a coach in mixed martial arts. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest fighters of all time. While he may have retired four years ago, his impact on the sport of MMA can still be felt in so many different ways.
Javier Mendez wants Khabib Nurmagomedov to improve cornerman work: “He needs to master the corner"
Fernando Quiles - June 16, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been praised for both his fighting career as well as his coaching, but even he isn’t perfect in all areas. Nurmagomedov has been in the corner of reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. It’s no secret that “The Eagle” gets animated when cornering fighters, and UFC 302 was no exception. Nurmagomedov took issue with Makhachev for seemingly playing Dustin Poirier’s game at times during their 155-pound title fight. Ultimately, Makhachev won the bout via fifth-round submission.
Islam Makhachev's coach explains why staph infection before UFC 302 wasn't a big deal for them
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2024
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Islam Makhachev says his fighter getting staph before UFC 302 wasn’t a big deal to them. Makhachev was headlining UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier as he was looking to defend his lightweight title for the third time. Heading into the fight, Makhachev was a sizeable betting favorite, but on fight week, a photo went viral of him apparently having a staph infection.
Islam Makhachev will decide where Dustin Poirier fight goes at UFC 302, says coach Javier Mendez
Fernando Quiles - May 26, 2024
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez believes that Islam Makhachev will dictate where his fight with Dustin Poirier goes. Makhachev is scheduled to put the UFC Lightweight Championship on the line against “The Diamond” in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1st. The action is being held inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Makhachev is in search of a third successful title defense, while Poirier looks to capture undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, and this could be his last chance.
Islam Makhachev’s coach doesn’t believe title fight with “biggest threat” Justin Gaethje will ever come to fruition after UFC 300
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2024
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on Justin Gaethje as a potential opponent. At UFC 302, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier. Prior to Dustin’s recent win over Benoit Saint-Denis, however, he was knocked out cold by Justin Gaethje.
Javier Mendez refutes Daniel Cormier's claim that Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov: “Nobody is more dangerous”
Harry Kettle - March 28, 2024
Coach Javier Mendez has disagreed with Daniel Cormier’s claim that Islam Makhachev is more dangerous than Khabib Nurmagomedov. Over the course of the last few years, Islam Makhachev has firmly established himself as the king of the lightweight division. Of course, prior to that, there was one man who stood tall above the rest at 155 pounds – his close friend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Javier Mendez lays out future plans for UFC champion Islam Makhachev: "I’d love to see that"
Fernando Quiles - February 20, 2024
Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, will not be featured on the UFC 300 card, but his coach has an update. UFC 300 will feature a pivotal lightweight clash between former 155-pound titleholder Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. UFC CEO Dana White has claimed the bout will determine the number one contender for a shot at Makhachev’s lightweight gold. It’ll be interesting to see who who will emerge victorious to challenge Makhachev, but what is the Makhachev camp thinking in terms of the future?
Islam Makhachev's coach expects Alexander Volkanovski will “take more chances” in upcoming rematch at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on what Alexander Volkanovski may do differently at UFC 294. Next weekend, on short notice, Alexander Volkanovski will step in for the injured Charles Oliveira and challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. It will serve as his second attempt at claiming Makhachev’s belt following a close decision defeat earlier this year.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what improvements they expect from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has revealed what improvements they expect to see from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Last year, Islam Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Now, one year later, the two will run it back as ‘Do Bronx’ attempts to reclaim the gold he lost.
Coach Javier Mendez names the fight that “could be as big as Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov” for Sean O’Malley
Fernando Quiles - September 14, 2023
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez thinks there’s one fighter who can challenge Sean O’Malley that’ll bring in as much hype as Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor. Fight fans haven’t forgotten about the nasty feud between “The Eagle” and the “Notorious” one. Back in October 2018, Nurmagomedov and McGregor settled their differences (not really) inside the Octagon. In the main event of UFC 229, Nurmagomedov forced McGregor to tap out in the fourth round. “The Eagle” then infamously hopped the cage and went after McGregor’s teammate Dillon Danis in the crowd.
Coach Javier Mendez predicts “epic” rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - July 13, 2023
Coach Javier Mendez has predicted that Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev will produce an epic rematch in the future. Earlier this year, Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev went to war. They battled it out over the UFC lightweight championship and, in the end, the decision went in favor of Makhachev. He was able to retain his belt, leaving Volkanovski to head back down to 145 pounds and defend his strap at featherweight.
Javier Mendez reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov is still coaching his fighters despite recent announcement
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2023
Khabib Nurmagomedov is still coaching his fighters, according to Javier Mendez. Back in January, it was revealed that Nurmagomedov was retiring from coaching and being involved in MMA completely. This came after he was serving as a coach for the likes of Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov among others and having success doing so.
Javier Mendez reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov never lost a sparring session, claims Islam Makhachev is the only person to win a round off him
Cole Shelton - September 29, 2022
Javier Mendez says no one beat Khabib Nurmagomedov in a sparring session and the only person to win rounds off of him was Islam Makhachev. Nurmagomedov retired undefeated and was dominant in the UFC as he hadn’t lost a round until he fought Conor McGregor. He had his ways with opponents and since he retired, the attention has turned to Islam Makhachev who’s set to headline UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title.
Coach Javier Mendez sees potential comeback for Cain Velasquez: "Money talks most of the time"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2022
Coach Javier Mendez has given his take on a potential comeback for Cain Velasquez. Mendez coached the former UFC heavyweight champion during his time at AKA. During their time together, the Mexican captured UFC gold on two different occasions. During his peak, Velasquez was considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
Jake Paul reveals planned jump to MMA: “I’m gonna go get coached up by Jav Mendez and Team Khabib”
Harry Kettle - December 17, 2021
YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul has revealed that he plans on transitioning over to mixed martial arts in the future. While he may currently be focusing on his boxing career, Jake Paul has made it clear that he wants to spend a lot of time in the combat sports sphere. This Saturday night, he’ll get another taste of what it’s like to be in there with an MMA star as he gears up for a rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
Conor McGregor would get "smashed" in Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, says Javier Mendez
Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021
Javier Mendez, the head coach behind Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Conor McGregor would get smashed in a rematch with the lightweight champion. Like pretty much everybody, Mendez was watching last Saturday’s UFC 257 card very closely. After seeing McGregor get stopped by Dustin Poirier in the main event, he has some concerns about the Irishman’s preparation.
Khabib Nurmagomedov pens heartfelt tribute to coach Javier Mendez
Tom Taylor - October 28, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov has penned a heartfelt tribute to his long-time head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez. Nurmagomedov returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 254 last Saturday on Fight Island, where he picked up a submission victory over Justin Gaethje and defended the UFC lightweight title in the process. Post-fight, he announced his retirement from MMA.