Team Khabib Coach Sends Dana White a Message After Public Disapproval of Islam Makhachev’s P4P Status at UFC 302

UFC CEO Dana White‘s comments about the pound-for-pound status of Islam Makhachev may have made fans believe that a minor rift between the promotion and team Khabib might have developed. But that’s not the real issue because Islam Makhachev and his team don’t really think those opinions hold much value. Nevertheless, American Kickboxing Academy’s head coach, Javier Mendez, has come forth to put an end to this debate.

Dana White, following Islam Makhachev’s hard-fought win over Dustin Poirier, still held heavyweight champion Jon Jones as the pound-for-pound kingpin. Meanwhile, Javier Mendez, who refuted the fact earlier, cleared his stance on this issue once and for all, but he didn’t appear to mind what the UFC CEO had to say.

Javier Mendez sticks to ‘his guy’ Islam Makhachev

While talking on Submission Radio, Javier Mendez respected Dana White’s pick for the P4P king, Jon Jones. If we take a peek at ‘Bones’s resume, there’s not much to argue about how much success he’s had since he joined UFC in 2008. From becoming a two-weight champion to fighting the who’s who of the light heavyweight division, the Rochester native is the epitome of eliteness.

“Dana has his points and he has his opinion… I have my points and my opinions, too, and Jon Jones is definitely, what he did, getting the heavyweight and the light heavyweight [belts], never losing a fight… Dana made common sense when he said that,” Javier Mendez stated. However, he’s still going to hold on to Islam Makhachev, because it’s all about loyalty for the AKA coach.

Islam Makhachev has not only found his team’s support but also from a former rival as well, and if you’re thinking who that could be, it’s the former featherweight champion, Alexander Volkanovski. The Aussie star has put his chips on Makhachev as the legitimate holder of the P4P king status. According to ‘Volk’ activity also matters, and that is why Makhachev is atop the P4P list at the moment.

“I still hold true to my guy, you know. And that’s what we are. Loyalty, right? Loyalty above anything so I’m loyal to my guys. My guy’s P4P. That’s it,” Mendez added. Islam Makhachev could shut down Dana White’s claims about his P4P status since he plans to replicate Jon Jones’s success, and how would he do that? Well, by adding another strap on his other shoulder.

Makhachev’s dream is to become a double champion

With three title defenses under his belt, Islam Makhachev is looking forward to one special challenge he wants to go for next – adding the welterweight title to his resume. His mentor never did it and his wish for a potential 170-pound move has been vocalized by himself and his team, on more occasions than one. Leon Edwards, the welterweight champion, is defending his title in July, against Belal Muhammad, and if he manages to retain the strap, Makhachev could set his eyes on his prize.

“If you want a great legacy, you have to get second belt. It’s my opinion,” said Makhachev during the UFC 302 presser while shrugging off suggestions to set records. “This is a dream for all fighters to get [a] second belt. This is my dream.” Further, he told after the victory over Poirier that he missed the feeling of winning a belt for the first time.

Islam Makhchev could put his title on the line once more, against Arman Tsarukyan, a matchup that Dana White’s interested in before he sets his eyes on the 170-pound prize. What do you think about the pound-for-pound rankings? Is Islam Makhachev better than Jon Jones, given that Joe Rogan has already called him better than his mentor? Drop your comments below.