Javier Mendez compares Islam Makhachev Khabib Nurmagomedov
Javier Mendez compares Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Approve Reject & ban Delete Logout
vs @MakhachevMMA is set for the LW title
[ ]The fight you’ve all been asking for vs @MakhachevMMA is set for the LW title [ ] Islam Makhachev's success has led many to compare him to fellow Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is often considered the greatest lightweight of all-time. Speaking with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Javier Mendez, who has coached both fighters, stated: "He [Makhachev] never copied him [Nurmagomedov] from the beginning and he never felt pressure from the beginning. Islam was Islam right from the get go. He knew what he was going to do. He knew his path. He had an example in Khabib to follow, but he wasn't following in Khabib's footsteps. It was Islam's footsteps. It was his own identity." Mendez elaborated by adding: "Islam doesn't have taglines. He doesn't have great lines that he says. Islam is not out there doing what Khabib does. They're completely opposite. Islam's an adventure type guy...he loves horse riding, dirt riding, and things of that nature. They're completely different and Islam has been 100% comfortable with his role and he's never wanted to be Khabib." While Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have often been compared, it is no surprise that Mendez, who has spent plenty of time with both fighters, has more insight. Makhachev will hope to further the comparisons to Khabib by defeating Oliveira at UFC 280 to become the lightweight champion. Watch Javier Mendez's comments on Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov below (starting at the 1:03:51 mark):
He never copied him from the beginning – Coach Javier Mendez details how Islam Makhachev made his own path dismisses narrative of following in Khabib Nurmagomedov s footsteps
From left to right: Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Javier Mendez [Image courtesy of Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC] is set to take on for the lightweight title at UFC 280. The No.4-ranked lightweight has often drawn comparisons to his longtime friend and training partner, . American Kickboxing Academy founder Javier Mendez disagrees with that narrative. The fight you’ve all been asking forvs @MakhachevMMA is set for the LW title
[ ]The fight you’ve all been asking for vs @MakhachevMMA is set for the LW title [ ] Islam Makhachev's success has led many to compare him to fellow Dagestani Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is often considered the greatest lightweight of all-time. Speaking with Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour, Javier Mendez, who has coached both fighters, stated: "He [Makhachev] never copied him [Nurmagomedov] from the beginning and he never felt pressure from the beginning. Islam was Islam right from the get go. He knew what he was going to do. He knew his path. He had an example in Khabib to follow, but he wasn't following in Khabib's footsteps. It was Islam's footsteps. It was his own identity." Mendez elaborated by adding: "Islam doesn't have taglines. He doesn't have great lines that he says. Islam is not out there doing what Khabib does. They're completely opposite. Islam's an adventure type guy...he loves horse riding, dirt riding, and things of that nature. They're completely different and Islam has been 100% comfortable with his role and he's never wanted to be Khabib." While Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have often been compared, it is no surprise that Mendez, who has spent plenty of time with both fighters, has more insight. Makhachev will hope to further the comparisons to Khabib by defeating Oliveira at UFC 280 to become the lightweight champion. Watch Javier Mendez's comments on Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov below (starting at the 1:03:51 mark):