Khabib Nurmagomedov took the reigns of Eagles MMA after the death of his father Abdulmanap. Eagles MMA is more than a team. Abdulmanap had taken care to raise his team like a family. Nurmagomedov has followed in his father’s footsteps. Javier Mendez, the head coach of Team Khabib, recently spoke of the team’s bond.
Fighters from Eagles MMA train under the watchful eye of American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez. After Nurmagomedov’s retirement and subsequent role as coach, Mendez has played a second but important fiddle. Mendez has always praised the brotherly bond between the fighters and has been in awe.
The team atmosphere, when we shift to different locations, is always the same. We bring the same group of brothers and fighters that are on the team, and they help support each other. I mean, there’s no stronger bond in the MMA industry than Team Khabib [Nurmagomedov].
Javier Mendez via UFC 302 Embedded
The happiness in Nurmagomedov’s eyes when Islam Makhachev won the lightweight title is proof enough of their brotherhood. It was the last time the former pound-for-pound king cornered his protege. However, Makhachev recently confirmed his mentor will be in his corner at UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier.
Unlike the soft-spoken Mendez, Nurmagomedov has a military general-esque training style. However, Mendez’s input is valuable to Team Khabib, mainly due to his experience as a coach and kickboxer. Nonetheless, he always urged his pupils from Dagestan to follow the grappling-heavy ‘Father’s Plan‘ in their fights.
Javier Mendez speaks about his Dagestani pupils
Javier Mendez is one of the most successful coaches in MMA. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and Luke Rockhold are some of the champions Mendez trained. Even now, he has two champions under his tutelage – Islam Makhachev and Usman Nurmagomedov.
Javier Mendez with Khabib Nurmagomedov (Image via: Instagram)Mendez has traveled all around the world with his Dagestani pupils. They even gifted him a flat in the UAE. His pupils also hold Mendez in high regard. Mendez once spoke about the respect from his pupils during his appearance on the Schmozone podcast.
These guys are Muslim through and through, 100%. They are the most loyal, most loving, most respectful fighters I’ve ever met in my entire life. They’re my family. Think about this: they’ve been with me—Khabib’s been with me for 10 years. Not one time has he ever really disrespected me. None of those guys have ever disrespected me.
Javier Mendez via The Schmozone
Mendez stated the Dagestani fighters have deep respect for their elders. As such, Mendez revealed he always got huge consideration due to his seniority. The last time Mendez and Nurmagomedov were together to corner, Makhachev easily defeated Charles Oliveira. What will happen at UFC 302 remains to be seen, where Khabib and Mendez will corner together again.
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