Javier Mendez News

Cole Shelton - May 30, 2023

Khabib Nurmagomedov is still coaching his fighters, according to Javier Mendez. Back in January, it was revealed that Nurmagomedov was retiring from coaching and being involved in MMA completely. This came after he was serving as a coach for the likes of Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov among others and having success doing so.

Cole Shelton - September 29, 2022

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, the attention has turned to Islam Makhachev who’s set to headline UFC 280 against Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title.

Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2022

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.

Harry Kettle - December 17, 2021

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 get another taste of what it’s like to be in there with an MMA star as he gears up for a rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.

Tom Taylor - January 27, 2021

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.

Tom Taylor - October 28, 2020

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, he announced his retirement from MMA.

Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020

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).

Natasha Hooper - August 11, 2020

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.

Natasha Hooper - May 7, 2020

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 postponed. Justin Gaethje will fill in as a short-notice replacement to fight “El Cucuy” on May 9.

Natasha Hooper - April 14, 2020

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 was foiled for medical reasons each time. Their fifth matchup was no different as “The Eagle” pulled out a few weeks before their scheduled fight.

Mike Pendleton - March 19, 2020

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 statements acknowledging that UFC 249 which had been scheduled to take place at Barclays Center will not take place in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Natasha Hooper - March 18, 2020

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 anticipated showdown against Tony Ferguson on Saturday 18th April.

Cole Shelton - April 1, 2019

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”.

Cole Shelton - March 3, 2019

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 will his next opponent be? He definitely has options, whether it’s a fight with Brock Lesnar, a rematch against Stipe Miocic, or a trilogy fight with Jon Jones. But if Mendez has any say in the matter, it probably won’t be a Miocic rematch.

Cole Shelton - March 2, 2019

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.

Drake Riggs - February 21, 2019

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 and McGregor’s camps.

Jason Kindschy - February 17, 2019

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 playing out, and what the future has in store for the former champion Velasquez. Mendez believes Cain will become the heavyweight king yet again, and is confident about his chances in a potential matchup with Jon Jones. We’ll also get Javi’s thoughts on the immediate future for Daniel Cormier, and what the ideal scenario is for DC to wrap up a historic career in style. Mendez also gives us his thoughts on Khabib’s refusal to compete before November, best-case-scenario matchups for Nurmagomedov, and a whole lot more.

Tom Taylor - February 17, 2019

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.