“He Wasn’t Quite Proficient”- Stark Difference Between Khabib and Islam Makhachev Revealed by Legendary Coach

The hosts asked him about the fighting style differences between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev.Khabib Nurmagomedov is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time. The undefeated fighter finished his UFC career with a perfect 29-0 record, not even having lost a round. No UFC fighter has ever dominated his competition so thoroughly right from the beginning to the end as ‘The Eagle’.

Although it is difficult to see someone replace him, Islam Makhachev was seen as a potential candidate due to their numerous similarities. Both are Dagestani, devout Muslims, and dominate through their superior ground game. This is why it was interesting to hear their coach, Javier Mendez, list the differences between the two on an interview with ‘Submission Radio’. The Mexico native, with his customary bluntness and frankness, also made some startling comments about the former lightweight’s striking prowess.

Javier Mendez talks about the differences between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev

The hosts asked him about the differences in between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev as fighters. Mendez started off by saying that they were entirely different fighters. He felt that Khabib was one-of-a-kind and dominated every opponent he faced.  “Islam and Khabib are different entire fighters… to me there was no one like Khabib, so. Whoever Khabib was gonna face, he was gonna destroy. That’s just the way I felt about him and he proved my point. He did it,” Mendez said.

Mendez says Islam Makhachev is better at striking than Khabib Nurmagomedov

Mendez concluded that Makhachev was better at stand-up striking than Khabib. “Islam is a better stand-up all the way around. Khabib got good in the boxing area and he started to get the knees and kicking, but he wasn’t quite proficient enough there like Islam,” he said.

Makhachev and Nurmagomedov have known each other for over 20 years. They have grown up together and used to live next to each other in their native Dagestan. Makhachev also used to train under Khabib’s father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. But, as Mendez points out, they’re two entirely different fighters.

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The simplest argument that one can make in defence of Khabib’s striking is- why even bother with it when no one can beat you on the ground? And his undefeated record proves the point.

What do you think about Javier Mendez’s take on Nurmagomedov’s striking? Let us know in the comments section below.

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