Khabib Nurmagomedov's previous coach Javier Mendez has claimed the UFC legend only trained his striking "part-time" during his fighting career.
Nurmagomedov is regarded as one of the best to ever compete with the promotion having been undefeated during his 13-fight streak. He defeated some top-level fighters including Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier during his career, before announcing his retirement after submitting Justin Gaethje in 2020.
The Russian star was primarily known for his wrestling ability which saw him choke out several of his opponents and dominate his fights. And Mendez has revealed that he used to work on other facets of his skillset a lot less than protege Islam Makhachev who has made a similarly remarkable rise.
“The difference between Islam and Khabib is when Khabib was in Dagestan training at Abdulmanap’s gym – his father’s gym – Khabib would only train with me really,” Mendez told MMA Junkie. “He wouldn’t really train standup with anybody. He’d train with me. So his time involved in striking was very limited, whereas Islam was smart enough to train with other people and he has great coaches at home that are working with him.
"So with him, his striking is further ahead than Khabib’s ever was only because of the fact that Islam was working year-round on his striking. Khabib was only part time working, and that’s what people don’t understand. That’s what’s so amazing about Khabib. He was only doing it part time and that’s why his improvement from fight to fight you go, ‘Wow, he keeps improving’.
"Because for him, there was a huge gap in striking and what he could learn and what he was able to do, whereas Islam, he’s been steadily growing all the time and he’s by far one of the best all-around fighters that I’ve ever trained.”
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Nurmagomedov has been present in Makhachev's corner throughout the young star's rise, which has seen him fight to his first title shot against Charles Oliveira which is set for UFC 280 on October 22. His skills have clearly rubbed off on Makhachev who is equally as notorious for his devastating ground game.
The UFC legend is currently focusing on his promoting career with new promotion Eagle FC while helping Makhachev prepare for his upcoming shot against Oliveira. And Mendez has also suggested his new star ranks above Nurmagomedov particularly if he becomes UFC champion at his first attempt.
“You don’t know what you’re dealing with until you’re dealing with him,” Mendez told Submission Radio of Makhachev. “That’s what everybody that’s dealt with Islam, they thought they could do better, until they get in there and they didn’t. He is so well-rounded. I am going on record saying as the lightweight, he is hands down the No. 1 of all time, best in all areas. No. 1 of all time, Islam Makhachev. Best defence, best striking, best everywhere. The best all-around athlete."
