Javier Mendez has named a non-UFC star as the ‘most talented’ fighter he’s ever coached.
The American Kickboxing Academy [AKA] owner coached Khabib Nurmagomedov, Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, and Luke Rockhold to UFC titles.
Mendez is currently guiding the career of UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who is widely regarded as the pound-for-pound best fighter in MMA.
However, he insists another fighter is the best he’s had come through his famous gym in California.
Javier Mendez raves about Usman Nurmagomedov
Javier Mendez says Usman Nurmagomedov is the ‘most talented’ fighter he’s ever trained.
The 26-year-old cousin of Khabib is currently signed to Bellator, where he has amassed an 18-0 (1NC) professional MMA record and claimed the lightweight title.
Usman’s coach believes he’s got everything it takes to be the best fighter in MMA. Mendez says the young Russian is better than Khabib and all the other legends he’s trained through the years.
“I see Usman as being the pound for pound the greatest fighter myself, he’s got all the attributes, he’s the most talented I’ve ever trained,” the 2022 ‘Coach of the Year’ told Red Corner MMA.
Mendez added: “Whether he goes to the UFC or not, I don’t know if it’s gonna matter as long as he keeps showing people how great he is.
“To me, if he never goes [to the UFC], ‘Great, he’s still going to be regarded as one of the great ones’. He will, you watch. He will be regarded as one of the great ones because what he does in that cage is like nobody.
“I’ve never seen anybody do the transitions, the movement that he does, he’s unbelievable. And he’s only 26, he’s only getting better.”
Usman Nurmagomedov plans to sign with the UFC in 2026
Usman Nurmagomedov says there’s only one thing standing in the way of him conquering the UFC, and that’s his relationship with Makhachev.
The undefeated phenom recently mapped out a plan for his career, which includes allowing his training partner to achieve everything he wants in MMA’s premier promotion.
In two years, once Makhachev is done, Usman plans to join the UFC’s lightweight division.
“I’m waiting for Islam to finish his career and then I will (sign with the UFC),” Nurmagomedov told Gorilla Energy.
“I think if we get it right, we’ll be fighting in the UFC at 28, I’m 26 years old right now, two years I’ll get stronger and that’s it. Go into the UFC at 28 and compete until I’m 32.
PFL and Bellator boss Donn Davis isn’t overly worried about losing one of his prized assets as he’s convinced he’s got time to change Nurmagomedov’s mind.
He told MMA Fighting: “My goal is to make my man Usman successful, financially rich, and a champion so that in two years, he forgets he even says this today.
“I think we’re in a great position to keep him happy. I think two years is infinite time in the fighting world, and I say we can all talk about this question in two years.”