Javier Mendez Reveals How Khabib Nurmagomedov Stepped Up When Top-Ranked Welterweight Came Asking for Help

Khabib Nurmagomedov is arguably one of the greatest MMA fighters ever. He finished his career as an undefeated fighter and carried that work ethic as a coach to help his former teammates. However, his former coach Javier Mendez claims that training with Nurmagomedov as a coach is a different ball game altogether.

‘The Eagle’ joined the MMA elites in the UFC Hall of Fame after he decided to retire following his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s death. However, he transitioned into a coaching role and mentored fighters like Islam Makhachev and Belal Muhammad, just to name a few.

Javier Mendez describes Khabib Nurmagomedov as a coach

The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) coach claims that ‘The Eagle’ is on a different level as a fighter. He mentioned how Belal Muhammad‘s win over Sean Brady at UFC 280 can be credited to Nurmagomedov’s mentorship. Mendez said, “Belal was unbelievable [against Sean Brady]. And I will tell you what, all credit goes to one person. Khabib.” He added, “Khabib looked at Belal and he says to me, ‘Coach, I wanna help him [Belal Muhammad]. He needs my work.”

Mendez agreed with ‘The Eagle’s wish to coach ‘Remember the Name’ and the UFC Hall of Famer spent a lot of extra time with him. “Khabib Spent extra time with him, went rolling with him, hung out with him, did a lot of special things with him.” However, Belal Muhammad soon found out how it feels to train with the Dagestan native.

‘The Eagle’ trains with all fighters of his team according to the same rigid manner

Javier Mendez recalled the first day Belal Muhammad started his training with Nurmagomedov. ‘Remember the Name’ was finding it difficult to keep up with the Hall of Famer. The AKA coach decided to calm Muhammad’s nerves by telling him that he wasn’t the first one to feel like that. Mendez said, “I go [to Muhammad], ‘Hey, don’t feel bad because there isn’t anybody that hasn’t experienced what you did when they got to go with him [Khabib Nurmagomedov].”

Mendez mentioned no matter who it is, they all have to go through the same path that Khabib Nurmagomedov has laid out for them. He added, “Everybody thinks when they can see, they think that… it’s going to be a different story. But it’s the same path when they go with Khabib. they all go, ‘What just happened to me?”

READ MORE: 8 Years Later, Anderson Silva Reveals His Immediate Reaction to Nick Diaz’s Iconic Taunt in the Middle of the Octagon at UFC 183

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s discipline and work ethic toward his craft is second to none. It helped him maintain an undefeated record before he bid the sport of MMA goodbye. Fans won’t be surprised if other fighters under his mentorship rise to become champions.

WATCH THIS STORY:  “Once He Comes Back, It’s Over”-UFC World Reacts To Latest Colby Covington USADA News