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Javier Mendez reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov never lost a sparring session, claims Islam Makhachev is the only person to win a round off him
Javier Mendez says no one beat Khabib Nurmagomedov in a sparring session and the only person to win rounds off of him was Islam Makhachev. Nurmagomedov retired undefeated and was dominant in the UFC as he hadn’t lost a round until he fought Conor McGregor. He had his ways with opponents and since he retired, […]
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Coach Javier Mendez sees potential comeback for Cain Velasquez: “Money talks most of the time”
Coach Javier Mendez has given his take on a potential comeback for Cain Velasquez. Mendez coached the former UFC heavyweight champion during his time at AKA. During their time together, the Mexican captured UFC gold on two different occasions. During his peak, Velasquez was considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time. However, when […]
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Jake Paul reveals planned jump to MMA: “I’m gonna go get coached up by Jav Mendez and Team Khabib”
YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul has revealed that he plans on transitioning over to mixed martial arts in the future. While he may currently be focusing on his boxing career, Jake Paul has made it clear that he wants to spend a lot of time in the combat sports sphere. This Saturday night, he’ll […]
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Coach Javier Mendez shares some advice for his pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov
American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez has shared some advice for his star pupil in Khabib Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov (29-0 MMA) retired from mixed martial arts immediately following his submission victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. The Russian sensation cited the death of his Father as the reason for hanging up his gloves. Despite ‘The […]
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Conor McGregor would get “smashed” in Khabib Nurmagomedov rematch, says Javier Mendez
Javier Mendez, the head coach behind Khabib Nurmagomedov, says Conor McGregor would get smashed in a rematch with the lightweight champion. Like pretty much everybody, Mendez was watching last Saturday’s UFC 257 card very closely. After seeing McGregor get stopped by Dustin Poirier in the main event, he has some concerns about the Irishman’s preparation. […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov pens heartfelt tribute to coach Javier Mendez
Khabib Nurmagomedov has penned a heartfelt tribute to his long-time head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez. Nurmagomedov returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 254 last Saturday on Fight Island, where he picked up a submission victory over Justin Gaethje and defended the UFC lightweight title in the process. Post-fight, […]
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Just Scrap Radio Ep. 15 with Javier Mendez, Sam Alvey & Casey Kenney
The 15th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 254. We’re first joined by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s head coach, Javier Mendez (2:34). Next, UFC light heavyweight, Sam Alvey (16:27) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (28:16). Javier Mendez opens up the show […]
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Javier Mendez believes Cormier vs. Miocic 3 winner will be offered “big money fight” with Jon Jones
Daniel Cormier’s coach Javier Mendez predicts a blockbuster Jon Jones bout after the former heavyweight champion’s clash against Stipe Miocic at UFC 252. Miocic is set to defend his heavyweight crown against Cormier in the UFC 252 main event on Saturday 15 August 2020, in arguably the biggest heavyweight showdown in UFC history. The pair […]
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Coach Javier Mendez expects war in Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier trilogy at UFC 252
Head coach Javier Mendez anticipates a healthier Daniel Cormier to go to war with Stipe Miocic in the trilogy bout. UFC heavyweight champion Miocic and Cormier are scheduled to collide a third time on Aug. 15. The title bout is set to headline UFC 252 in Las Vegas. Cormier insists that this will be the […]
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Coach Mendez explains why Conor McGregor is still the toughest opponent for his pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez has explained why Conor McGregor is still his pupil’s toughest opponent. The undefeated lightweight champion was scheduled to defend his title against Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 249. However, due to travel restrictions related to the coronavirus outbreak and Nurmagomedov’s commitment to Ramadan, their showdown has been […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach has a message for critics following UFC 249 backlash
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez has come to the defence of his fighter amidst criticism regarding his UFC 249 withdrawal. The undefeated lightweight champion was expected to face Tony Ferguson in the main event of UFC 249 on April 18. The UFC stars were scheduled to fight four times in the past, but the matchup […]
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Head coach Javier Mendez says he and Khabib Nurmagomedov willing to travel anywhere for UFC 249
The status of UFC 249 is up in the air when it comes to the location and whether or not the event will actually take place, but one half of the main event are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it happens. On Wednesday night, the NYSAC and the UFC released separate […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach explains why Tony Ferguson is his toughest opponent
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez explains why Tony Ferguson is the UFC lightweight champion’s toughest challenge yet. The head coach and mastermind behind American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) has been training the UFC’s lightweight champion, Nurmagomedov for many years. Despite the looming threat of Coronavirus, today is no exception as they continue to prepare for his […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov coach ranks most dangerous opponents for lightweight champ
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov looks more and more like an unbeatable fighter every time he steps into the cage. The Dagestani champion is 27-0 overall — the mark of a puzzle that has not yet been solved. While it’s getting more and more difficult to imagine anybody beating Nurmagomedov, his head coach Javier Mendez […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach says Justin Gaethje isn’t much of a threat
Following his knockout win over Edson Barboza at UFC Philadelphia, Justin Gaethje proclaimed that he is Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest challenge. Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez does not agree with that statement. In fact, the longtime AKA head coach believes Gaethje isn’t much of a threat to “The Eagle”. “Not much,” Nurmagomedov’s coach, Javier Mendez, said on The MMA Hour. “Not much, […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Javier Mendez wants Daniel Cormier to fight Brock Lesnar then retire
Daniel Cormier was supposed to partake in the final fight of his career before his 40th birthday this March. Well, that is no longer going to happen. Both Cormier and his head coach Javier Mendez have said his retirement will be delayed. Now, the question is, how many fights does Cormier have left, and who […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Coach says a rematch between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor is unlikely
When Khabib Nurmagomedov took on Conor McGregor at UFC 229, it resulted in the biggest pay-per-view in promotional history. The event did well over two million PPV buys, and in the end, Nurmagomedov beat McGregor in the fourth round by submission. It was expected that former interim lightweight title holder, Tony Ferguson, would be the […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Javier Mendez finds contradictions in Khabib Nurmagomedov’s NAC punishments
It took the UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov a few months after his massive title defending win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229 to finally receive his fine and suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC). Of course, the punishments came in response to the post-fight scuffle that ensued following the fight between both Nurmagomedov […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Javier Mendez expects Cain Velasquez to smash dangerous Ngannou
With the highly anticipated return of former heavyweight kingpin Cain Velasquez just hours away, the question remains if we will see the dominant display of cardio and technique that Cain is known for against a very dangerous opponent in Francis Ngannou. Following a hiatus from combat sports for over two years, one individual who has […]
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BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 110 // Javier Mendez | Leonard Garcia
Founder and head coach of the famed American Kickboxing Academy, mentor and close friend of Cain Velasquez, Javier Mendez returns to the show to preview the highly anticipated return of his star pupil. We’ll get Javi’s thoughts on the matchup against Francis Ngannou and the challenges he poses for Cain, how Mendez sees the fight […]
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Coach explains what is motivating Cain Velasquez ahead of Francis Ngannou fight
On Sunday evening, former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will return from a hiatus of almost three years to battle brick-fisted knockout artist Francis Ngannou. Speaking on the UFC Unfiltered podcast recently, Velasquez’s chief handler Javier Mendez explained what is motivating the former champion as he heads into this high-stakes showdown with Ngannou. Apparently, it’s all about […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Javier Mendez gives his thoughts on what is next for Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier had originally planned to retire by his 40th birthday. Well, things may have changed. “DC’s” birthday falls on March 20, and the only pay-per-view between now and then is UFC 235 – as UFC 234 is already finalized – which already has two title fights. Now, the question remains on whether or not […]
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Coach wants Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor rematch next
The next fight of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov remains a mystery. In the opinion of Nurmagomedov’s head coach Javier Mendez, however, the best option available is a rematch with Conor McGregor, who Nurmagomedov defeated at UFC 229 on October 6. “I look at this as more of a prizefight than I do sport,” Javier […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Coach Javier Mendez explains how AKA became one of the greatest gyms in MMA
When MMA fans think of the top gyms in the sport, some of the first to come to mind are JacksonWink, American Top Team, and of course, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). There is no question that AKA is one of the top gyms in the sport, with the likes of Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and Khabib […]
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EXCLUSIVE | Coach Javier Mendez believes Ngannou is one of the most dangerous fights for Cain Velasquez
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is back. Velasquez is set to return to the Octagon on Feb. 17 against Francis Ngannou. The former champ was last seen at UFC 200 where he defeated Travis Browne by TKO in the first round. Despite this lengthy absence, he is once again on the hunt for the […]
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Coach believes Dana White will persuade Daniel Cormier to delay retirement plans
UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has long planned to retire in March of 2019, when he turns 40. From the sounds of it, however, the champ might just delay his retirement plans as fights Jon Jones, Brock Lesnar, and Stipe Miocic all loom on the horizon. UFC President Dana White recently said that he’d like […]
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Khabib Nurmagomedov campaigns for Javier Mendez to be named Coach of the Year for 2018
Javier Mendez, who serves as the head coach at American Kickboxing Academy in Fresno, California, has had a huge year. He shepherded Khabib Nurmagomedov to a lightweight title win and a successful title defense against Conor McGregor. He helped Daniel Cormier become one of just two fighters in UFC history to wear UFC belts in […]
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VIDEO | Coach says Cain Velasquez’ UFC contract is ‘for sale’
“There’s contract negotiations going on that I’m not privileged to know. But I do know that other organizations are interested in buying Cain [Velasquez’s] contract. It’s for sale, I do know that because I was told that from somebody that’s in the know. That they were offered money to buy Cain’s contract but what’s going […]