“He’s like a Boa constrictor, he just locks you down on everything,” Javier Mendez talks about Islam Makhachev being better than Khabib
Follow Us
Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov
The Dagestani MMA fighter, Islam Makhachev recently entered the top 5 rankings with his latest win against Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31. But for Islam, this isn’t a cakewalk as he is compared to the undefeated UFC Lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov at every step.
‘The Eagle’ has backed Islam many times to be his protégé and soon to be the new UFC Lightweight champion. So, now after every win for Makhachev people compare his performance with Khabib. This involves criticism as well for not living up to the hopes of the people.
But according to the longtime coach of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez thinks Makhachev is actually better than Khabib in some areas.
In his latest interview at Real Quick with Mike Swick’s podcast, Mendez says, “What Islam has that Khabib never had as good are throws, judo throws, leg sweeps, leg trips, I mean Khabib has them but not to the level of Islam now.”
“I mean all of a sudden, you’re with Islam, you’re going with it and the next thing you know, you’re flying, you’re literally flying. Khabib in reality is actually meaner; he’s mean. Khabib is like this: when he controls you, it’s like his whole body controls you. His legs, his toes, his arms, everything locks on to you.”
Javier Mendez continued, “Islam is a slightly different approach, while Khabib, it’s like every part of his body is preventing you and he knows what you’re going to do next and he’s got the counter to your counter. and he’s ahead of you. Khabib leaves an opening, and that opening is to let him right hand smash you in your face.” {H/T MMA Mania}
Javier Mendez claims Islam Makhachev’s transitions are smoother than Khabib’s
Khabib Nurmagomedov is believed to have the best ground game in the UFC promotion but Javier Mendez thinks Islam Makhachev’s transitions are smoother than Khabib and the pressure he puts is on a whole different level.
Mendez says, “He’s unbelievable how he controls you with his hips, his feet, I’ve never seen an MMA fighter control people like that, Islam is a little smoother in how he does his transitions, but they’re both unbelievable on the ground.”
“And don’t forget, they’re both Sambo champions. Two years in a row or maybe more than that. And the only reason Islam is not more of a champion in Sambo is because he hasn’t competed as many times. But both are unbelievable on the ground.”
Javier Mendez concluded, “One’s a little bit more explosive, Khabib is the more explosive one. But the other one [Makhachev] is a little smoother in transitioning. He’s like a boa constrictor, he just locks you down on everything. They both do, but one’s more pronounced with the punching, and that’s Khabib.” {H/T MMA Mania}
Stay Updated!
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)