Javier Mendez, who coached Khabib and coached alongside him at the American Kickboxing Academy, shared further insights with Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.
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Already retired from martial arts, Khabib Nurmagomedov is making a clear departure from mixed martial arts. The former UFC lightweight champion announced on Instagram on Friday that he is stepping down from his coaching role to be with his family. Javier Mendez, who coached Khabib and coached alongside him at the American Kickboxing Academy, shared further insights with Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.
“He just doesn’t want to give up being his father,” Mendes said. Said he planned to. He does this for the right reasons. He is a homely man and wants to spend more time with his family. “Nurmagomedov left the sport at his best. In October 2020 he set a 29-0 record at UFC 254 with a submission victory over Justin Gaethje.
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The 34-year-old is one of the UFC’s top pound-for-pound fighters, and Mendes believed his former student could reach similar heights as a coach. Islam Makachev is the most famous star who worked under Nurmagomedov. Makachev became the lightweight champion when he submitted Charles Oliveira to UFC 280 last October. He will face Alexander Volkanowski at his UFC 284 on February 11, jeopardizing the gold medal. Mendez told Iore it was unclear if Nurmagomedov’s retirement would take effect immediately or if he would stay in Makachev’s corner long enough to play another match.
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