{"id":392006,"date":"2021-08-11T05:16:47","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T12:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=392006"},"modified":"2021-08-11T05:16:47","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T12:16:47","slug":"javier-mendez-details-where-islam-makhachev-is-better-than-khabib-nurmagomedov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/islam-makhachev\/javier-mendez-details-where-islam-makhachev-is-better-than-khabib-nurmagomedov\/","title":{"rendered":"Javier Mendez details where Islam Makhachev is better than Khabib Nurmagomedov"},"content":{"rendered":"

The notion that Islam Makhachev is a real problem for anyone in the UFC’s 155lb division has been floating around for a while.<\/p>\n

The Dagestani is currently riding an eight-fight winning streak including back-to-back submission victories in his last two encounters.<\/p>\n

\"Islam
Image Credit: @UFC\/Twitter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a protege of Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev often gets drawn into comparisons with ‘the Eagle.’<\/p>\n

Nurmagomedov is widely considered<\/a> to be one of the greatest fighters ever and looks set to stay retired as a former lightweight champion with a 29-0 record. But Mendez believes Makhachev has part of his game that are even better than Khabib’s.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the Real Quick with Mike Swick Podcast,<\/a> Mendez said,<\/p>\n

“What Islam has that Khabib never had as good are throws, judo throws, leg sweeps, leg trips. I mean Khabib has them but not to the level of Islam now. I mean all of a sudden, you’re with Islam, you’re going with it and the next thing you know, you’re flying, you’re literally flying.”<\/p>\n

Khabib became renowned for his overwhelming pressure where he would smother opponents and dominate them from the top. Makhachev, too, has shown incredible grappling during his UFC tenure and Mendez outlined the merits in their respective styles.<\/p>\n

“Khabib is actually meaner; he’s mean. Khabib is like this: when he controls you, it’s like his whole body controls you. His legs, his toes, his arms, everything locks up to you. One’s a little bit more explosive is Khabib, the more explosive one. But the other one ( Makhachev) is a little smoother in transitioning,” he said.<\/p>\n

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Islam Makhachev AKA Spotlight! w\/ Coach Javier Mendez (plus Bonus Footage… https:\/\/t.co\/bXvq2H2eVm<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LkfVtDo5Jr<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mike Swick (@officialswick) August 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n