“He impressed me the most,” Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach unveils gym’s hidden powerhouse and it’s not Islam Makhachev

Legendary coach and founder of the American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez, recently sat down for an interview in Dubai. Speaking with Red Corner MMA’s Denis Geiko, the two took a seat at Ten 11. This is a café in Dubai that became part of MMA history overnight. This is where Islam Makhachev paid for Alexander Volkanovski‘s lunch the day after their UFC 294 rematch. The two conversed on an array of different MMA topics.

Adding to the conversation, Mendez was additionally asked for particular details about fighters. When asked about who impressed him most in the gym, strength-wise, Mendez mentioned:

You know, the guy that impressed me the most - Usman. He was doing like 30-something chin-ups. I was like wow! I don't think I have seen anybody do as many chin-ups as Usman did. He's very gifted athletically. He could be a superstar. He will be a superstar, as long as Khabib and I can keep him on track.

Usman Nurmagomedov thus got high applause from the coach. Mendez mentioned that if he were to enter UFC right now, he would be ranked #2, next to Makhachev. He even thinks the fighter surpasses Makhachev in certain aspects.

Makhachev is the current lightweight king, with a spectacular knockout over Volkanovski. Speaking previously to Ahmad Jaber, of the talk show Jibber-with-Jaber, Mendez had mentioned the same on Episode 126. On his future in Bellator, he told Geiko:

Nobody on Bellator can stop him! He is only 25; he is maturing. But I don't think anybody can stop him in the lightweight division.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Mendez had commended his Bellator lightweight championship win, against Patricky Freire, at Bellator 288. Nurmagomedov had won by a dominant decision. He also favored his win at Bellator 300 as well.

Usman Nurmagomedov gets praised for win at Bellator 300

Usman Nurmagomedov came into Bellator 300 as a fan favorite. He won unanimously over Brent Primus at San Diego’s Pechanga Arena. Many fans and peers praised him, for retaining his Bellator lightweight championship belt. Accordingly, he has also received praise from his coach, Javier Mendez.

Earlier, this October, Mendez had taken to X to post about Nurmagomedov’s win. Nurmagomedov’s fluidity in movement and definitive hitting were praised by many, including coach Mendez. The young Dagestani also got invoked by MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz a day before. In his dispute with Charles Oliveira as a potent rematch opponent, Abdelaziz ranked him better than Oliveira. He said on X:

Usman Nurmagomedov is above Charles Olivera on the GOAT list.

Mendez’s expectations are high for the Bellator lightweight titlist and he believes the best is yet to come for the 25-year-old.

In case you missed it:

• Khabib Nurmagomedov’s return to fighting helped cousin Usman Nurmagomedov learn important lesson
• Usman Nurmagomedov wants to honor his late uncle Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s legacy by winning the title at Bellator 288

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