Coach Javier Mendez predicts Khabib Nurmagomedov is “never going to lose”

In the opinion of Javier Mendez, the head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is simply never going to lose. That, of course, means he’ll defeat former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor when they battle in the main event of UFC 229 on October 6.

https://soundcloud.com/mmafighting/eurobash-w-javier-mendez-episode-1

“I’m of the belief that Khabib’s mental strength is so strong that I personally feel that he’s never going to lose,” Mendez said recently on the Eurobash Podcast (transcript via MMA Fighting). “I really don’t — I don’t think he’s ever going to lose. He’s going to find whatever he needs to do to win, whether he does it my way or does it his way, he’s going to find a way to win and that’s just what he does.”

Mendez went on to praise Khabib Nurmagomedov for his physical and mental strength.

“I’m not going to have to worry about keeping [Nurmagomedov] in check. He is so mentally strong that it’s not going to be an issue at all. Like I said, Conor is going to press his buttons, but it doesn’t matter. I believe Khabib is going to stay cool throughout the whole thing,” Mendez explained.

“He’s going to dish it out as good as he gets it, and trust me, Conor’s going to give it to him because Conor is master at playing the game. He’s going to find an equal mental sparring partner as well as physical. This fight is going to be mental and physical, outside the fight and inside the fight, they’re both going to fight for the advantages.”

Do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov has what it takes to retire undefeated?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 9/2/2018.