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Mendez has been Nurmagomedov’s coach since his father, Abdulmanap, brought him to the American Kickboxing Academy in 2012. Mendez has since become a close aide to the entire Dagestani contingent. After Nurmagomedov’s retirement in 2020, the former UFC lightweight champ has shouldered the responsibility of helping his teammates along with coach Mendez.
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Nurmagomedov recently called out Mendez for failing to bring mitts to training. Mendez endearingly started filming Nurmagomedov for “talking bad” to him. Mendez then sought the help of Nurmagomedov’s successor, Islam Makhachev. When Nurmagomedov blamed both of them, Mendez said that he had given the responsibility to the other Islam [Mamedov] of their team.
Mendez, Khabib Trade Barbs
Mendez: I’m gonna film you for talking bad to me. What are you saying to me?
Nurmagomedov: “Doesn’t matter how much I love you, but when it comes to professionalism, you have to be professional. It’s your job to bring the mitts. You’re the boss, you’re the head coach.”
Mendez: You’re gonna protect me? He’s gonna help me. What are you gonna say about that? Pound-for-pound No.1 is gonna help me.
Nurmagomedov: It’s you both guys fault.
Mendez: Not our fault. I asked the other Islam. Not this one. Other Islam said he would take care of it.
Nurmagomedov: Other Islam is sleeping coach. It’s your responsibility.
Makhachev defended his lightweight title four times before vacating it earlier this year to move up a weight class. Makhachev is currently scheduled to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title in the main event at UFC 322 on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
😅🦅 Khabib reminds Javier Mendez to be professional after he forgot to bring the mitts
“Doesn’t matter how much I love you, but when it comes to professionalism, you have to be professional. It’s your job to bring the mitts. You’re the boss, you’re the head coach.”
(via… pic.twitter.com/z0rSDqD7Sc
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) October 4, 2025
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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