Coach Javier Mendez offers personal insight into what it’s like watching Khabib Nurmagomedov taking over the training of Islam Makhachev.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev will be drawing on all of the experience of his friend and teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov this weekend for the main event of UFC 302, but the impact of ‘The Eagle’ also extends from the fighters to his coaches.
Javier Mendez celebrates Khabib’s transition into coaching role
Speaking on the latest episode of the UFC 302 Training Camp VLOG series via Khabib Nurmagomedov’s official YouTube channel, coach Javier Mendez celebrated the inclusion of ‘The Eagle’ in preparation for such a vitally important fight at UFC 302:
“The whole team for Islam is here, except two very important coaches in Dagestan, but we have the main person that I believe is always there for Islam and that is Khabib.”
Mendez revealed that “He’s basically running the whole program really,” with the veteran trainer having previously coached both Khabib and teammate Makhachev to UFC title success:
“I do little bits and parts here and there; I’ve become more of a mentor-type than actually the head coach now.”
“I like my [new] role, I do less work and I also get to watch someone like Khabib take over with great honor and joy it gives me to watch how great of a coach he is.”
Mendez acknowledged that the feeling of pleasure watching Khabib taking over the mantle as head coach for the Dustin Poirier fight camp comes down to the shared experience, he’s had with the legendary MMA fighter over the years:
“To see all of the guys and how much they’re learning from him, it’s a big joy to see someone take over where you were before and how great they’re doing.”
Manager Ali Abdelaziz also spoke of the happiness he felt with having Khabib taking over Makhachev’s training routines, noting that as soon as ‘The Eagle’ stepped back through the doors, he “changed the energy of the whole camp.”
“It [has] become like the Islam Army [in] here, the military with everyone on time, everybody training good… We’re having fun and are hungry, now the team is complete.”
“Khabib’s father had a dream that came through Khabib, Islam’s carrying that legacy and so many young guys coming here [because of it], this is a farm of warriors.”
Khabib will be in Islam Makhachev’s corner for title fight vs Poirier
Luckily for the champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov will indeed be in the corner of Makhachev for this weekend’s highly anticipated clash with Dustin Poirier.
Whilst Khabib was notably absent for both of Islam’s fights with featherweight icon Alexander Volkanovski, the current king of the 155lb division confirmed that ‘The Eagle’ will walk him to the octagon in Newark.
“Eagle has landed in Jersey City,” Makhachev told the UFC cameras during the ceremonial poster signing session.
“He’s going to be in my corner. Honestly, I’m very happy because he’s one of the best corner coaches, brother, friend. That’s it.”
Islam Makhachev vs Dustin Poirier is your main event for UFC 302, scheduled to go down on Saturday, June 1 from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.