Khabib Nurmagomedov was a surprise but welcome addition to the UFC 302 fight camp. ‘The Eagle’ made his long-awaited return to corner his protege. Ultimately, Nurmagomedov’s motivation and advice helped Islam Makhachev retain his title. Now, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) coach Javier Mendez hints this will be a long-running stint.
Islam Makhachev submitted Dustin Poirier after showing phenomenal improvement in the standup game. The 32-year-old went through a bloody striking affair to outbox Poirier. The lightweight champion finally ended it in a D’arce choke at the 2:42 mark of Round 5. Mendez says this trend will continue but cautions against some changes.
Khabib’s actually becoming a great coach and a great cornerman – [but] he needs some work on the cornering [in the future]. He’s great at game planning, he’s fantastic at game planning but we need to work a little bit on the cornering – just a little bit…
Javier Mendez to The Schmo via the Schmozone Podcast (@theschmo312)
Though he is one of the greatest fighters of all time, Khabib Nurmagomedov is far from the perfect cornerman. As such, Mendez hoped to change some of the aspects. Khabib’s brotherly demeanor and understanding of skill-to-skill matchmaking are quite well known. However, his rigorous training camp that starches out fighters at Eagle FC is also widely famous.
Javier Mendez said that Khabib will be in Islam’s corner for all his future fights
And that he’ll also corner some of the top guys from the team, very likely Umar who’s fighting Cory for the No. 1 contender spot & Usman who’s defending his Bellator LW title vs. Shabliy. pic.twitter.com/4lrrYpabfQ
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) June 14, 2024
Javier Mendez has trained both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev. Hence, he could later expand on how Khabib could have better corner work and coaching techniques. Minutes later, in a sitdown with The Helen Yee Sports YouTube channel, he would iterate hilarious reactions the lightweight legend would have to his fighters. As such, he also offered up some key pointers to his coaching game.
What clicks for the clinch: Coach Javier Mendez gives Khabib key cornering advice
Nurmagomedov hung up his MMA gloves after his win at UFC 254. His spectacular matchup with Justin Gaethje paved the way for ESPY and Submission awards/accolades. However, the passing of his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, acted as a pivotal catalyst in the decision.
Javier Mendez offers valuable input to Khabib Nurmagomedov (Source: ringtv.com/talksport.com)‘The Eagle’ would go on to take up a training role and have a brief stint of cornering Islam Makhachev. However, Javier Mendez now nudges this to be a full-time thing. Submitting Poirier in UFC 302’s main event proved the mentor-mentee dynamic is on the right trajectory. However, Mendez offers up some changes.
He said ‘I’ll be there for Islam, I’ll be there for some of the top guys’…He never said he was not gonna work corners…He needs to master the corner though… We still need to work the corner because he goes a little crazy on there, up and down, slamming on the table.
Jabier Mendez via Helen Yee Sports YouTube channel (@HelenYeeSports)
A poignant marker of the difference between the 29-0 Lightweight legend and the lifelong veteran coach is demeanor. Mendez says that, due to his brotherly love, Khabib Nurmagomedov would slam the table and do stuff that the Athletic Commission notices.
The Commission also advises that people always be seated beside the apron. Mendez tactfully urges Khabib to advise his fighters when the loud boom of the crowd cheering slows down sometimes – otherwise, it runs interference with the noise. Despite Khabib not fighting anymore, Mendez will get to coach his favorite pupil in the art of cornering to help the fighters in a much better manner.
