“One Mess Up by Islam” – Coach Javier Mendez Reacts to Alexander Volkanovski Grappling at UFC 284

Following Islam Makhachev‘s hard-fought win over featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski in a five-rounder main event at UFC 284, coach Javier Mendez had an interesting statement to make on the Australian’s skill set. While speaking to Submission Radio after the fight, Mendez revealed his assessment of Volkanovski’s grappling throughout the five rounds, even making a surprising claim about the featherweight champ. The main event at Perth, which saw the two champs test each other’s grit and toughness, was undoubtedly one of the most exciting bouts that the promotion has ever put up in over the last few months.

As the AKA head coach talked about this, he made sure to comment on Volkanovski’s cardio and conditioning, which saw him maintain his pace throughout five rounds. Interestingly, Mendez even felt that as the rounds went ahead, Volk seemed to get better along with it.

Javier Mendez on what he felt about Alexander Volkanovski’s grappling during his fight against Islam Makhachev

During his conversation with Submission Radio, the long-time coach to Islam Makhachev was asked about Volkanovski’s grappling and if he was taken by surprise at how good he turned out to be. In response, Mendez claimed that although he was initially very aware of Volk’s physical strength, what surprised him was the Australian’s ability to continue at a high pace throughout the fight. This aspect of the 33-year-old’s game ultimately created problems for Mendez’s student with Makhachev even getting dropped in the last round.

While talking about Volkanovski’s grappling in the fight, he said: “It didn’t surprise me at the beginning. I was like thinking, okay he’s super strong but then he got stronger as the rounds went on so it’s like everybody talks about him – he doesn’t get tired of that guy, so he was a very fresh guy going into the fifth round.” 

Mendez also claimed that he imagined Makhachev’s wrestling putting a toll on Volkanovski as the fight advanced. Instead, he revealed that the featherweight champ appeared to get better as they moved past the rounds.

“So at the beginning, I thought maybe the grappling was slowing him down. it didn’t slow him down, no, he just got better and better as the rounds went on.” Stated Mendez. 

The 53-year-old coach also talked about how Makhachev’s mistake also helped the Australian in taking advantage of his position.

 “So you know one mess up by Islam got him turned over and you know Alex, Alex did really well in the fifth round.” pointed Mendez

Mendez’s opinion on the judge’s scoring that saw Makhachev win a unanimous decision

On a different subject, regarding the decision by the judges, the AKA head coach mentioned that he was confident going into the decision as he felt that Makhachev had done enough to win.

“The way I saw it you know, worst case I saw it 48 47 for us, best case you know I thought it was you know basically I mean 49 46 I thought. But I’m biased obviously because this is my guy right, but I wasn’t too nervous at all.”

Read More: “Dumb C*nt Thinks He Can Fly to Australia Hire a Nurse To Give Him an IV and We Won’t Find Out” – Dan Hooker Throws Allegations Post UFC 284: Volkanovski vs. Islam

Some might not have agreed to the decision, especially one of the scores that read 49-46, considering many feel Volkanovski clearly won at least a couple of the rounds. But despite this discussion, there is no doubt that the UFC featherweight champ had a great outing in front of his home crowd.

His grappling, as pointed out by Mendez, was clearly something that took many by surprise, especially considering that he was up against someone known for his wrestling caliber.

Watch This Story: Alexander Volkanovski’s coach reveals a depressing incident that almost led to the retirement of the great