In a recent interview, renowned MMA coach Javier Mendez weighed in on the highly debated comparison between his former pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov and current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. While praising Islam’s skills, Mendez firmly stated that Khabib remains the most talented and dangerous fighter he has ever trained.
“DC probably meant more skilled wise when he said Islam is more dangerous than Khabib. I guess that’s correct,” Mendez told interviewer, referring to Daniel Cormier’s recent comments favoring Islam’s danger over Khabib’s prime. “But more dangerous, I don’t think there’s ever been a man more dangerous than Khabib.”
Mendez coached both Khabib and Islam at the famed American Kickboxing Academy, playing an integral role in developing their elite grappling abilities. He credits Khabib’s seemingly impervious chin as a major factor in his dominance.
“He’s got the hardest chin I’ve ever seen anybody. He’s been hit. The only person that rocked him a tiny bit was Michael Johnson,” Mendez recalled. “Other than that, no one else has so much as fazed him with anything. Dustin Poirier landed nothing.”
While admitting Islam may possess a more diverse skill set across multiple disciplines, the aura of invincibility surrounding Khabib in his prime is unmatched in Mendez’s eyes.
“Nobody’s more dangerous in my opinion in the world than Khabib. No one. You can’t do anything to him. Very difficult to do anything to him.”
As for Islam’s next challenge, Mendez favors a title defense against Dustin Poirier assuming the timing aligns with Islam’s preferred schedule after Ramadan. He dismissed any potential political reasons preventing a Khabib vs. Islam superfight.
“That’ll never happen. One will never fight,” Mendez bluntly stated about his two prized pupils clashing in the UFC. “It’s a no-go. Never, never, never.”
Mendez’s glowing praise for Khabib’s physical talents and mental fortitude provide great context for just how special “The Eagle’s” career was through the eyes of someone who witnessed his journey up close.