Outside Source
The American Kickboxing Academy coach has been a constant presence in Makhachev’s corner during his lightweight title reign, and he’ll also be on hand when the Dagestani faces 170-pound king Jack Della Maddalena later this year. While Mendez would have preferred an earlier date, he says it’s likely that Della Maddalena vs. Makhachev takes place at one of the promotion’s last few pay-per-views of the year.
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“I’m hoping Islam faces Jack in August or September. I don’t think July, because I look at what’s already on the agenda. And I don’t think it’s gonna be in any of those,” Mendez told Genting Casino. “But I anticipate we’re gonna be in [the] October, November or December timeframe. I’m thinking it’s gonna be one of those. I don’t know which one.
“Abu Dhabi is in late October, I believe. And then we’re talking Las Vegas, and I believe that Oct. 5 is Las Vegas. And then the next one after that would be Madison Square Garden. So maybe one of those three, the UFC knows where they want. I don’t.”
Mendez recently raised some eyebrows when he said that Makhachev might only have three fights left before retirement in a recent interview. Mendez clarified those remarks as merely speculation on his part.
“It was just my opinion. I never talked to Islam about that. He never said he would retire at 35,” Mendez said. “I just assumed because when I was around Khabib and his father [Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov], they would discuss that after 35 that they should all hang it up.
“Father was about protecting yourself, being a professional, being a good father for your family and taking care of your family. So if you’ve accomplished that goal at 35, and you can provide for your family, I would think the father would want them to move on. If Islam decides he wants to fight on, he’ll fight on. He didn’t discuss it with me. We never discussed how many fights he would have.”
Coach: Makhachev’s Retirement Date Still Undetermined
Makhachev, who turns 34 in October, is in the midst of a 15-bout UFC winning streak. He’s finished eight of his last nine opponents and shows no signs of slowing down as his latest challenge approaches.
“In all fairness I could be correct about the three fights, but It could be six fights. It could be eight fights — anything’s possible,” Mendez said. “I would tell Islam: If you’re healthy and want to fight, and his body’s strong, and he hasn’t lost his skill set — I say, continue.
“So for me, it’s not about 35 years of age. It’s when your body can’t compete at the highest level, when you can’t maintain that.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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