UFC News: “Khabib Never Said That He Was Quitting” – Javier Mendez Confirms Islam Makhachev’s Corner for Dustin Poirier at UFC 302

Several fans are seeing the Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier fight of UFC 302 as a repetition of the 2019 Poirier and  Khabib Nurmagomedov bout where the former lost. Khabib is currently coaching Makhachev and his team ahead of the fights. Even though he has retired from competition, he is not out of the game and is helping his camp as a coach. Now, head coach Javier Mendez has given an update about whether Nurmagomedov would be in the corner of Makhachev during the fight. 

Mendez recently spoke about Khabib’s coaching and how he loves it. The coach also updated the audience on what the retired champion is going to do in the future, especially during the latest fight.

Javier Mendez gives his verdict on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s UFC 302 return

During an interview with Ushatayka, the host asked the coach and former 2-time ISKA kickboxing world champion about the Hall of Famer who retired from UFC in 2021. The host mentioned how Nurmagomedov loved coaching and his zeal as a coach had increased now more than ever.

Mendez said, “He wants to help them realize their dreams. People forget that Khabib never said that he was quitting coaching. He said that he would no longer be a corner and he’s keeping his word now.” As per the decision to stay at Makhachev’s corner, Mendez reiterated, “Islam will fight Dustin, and from what I understand and I think I understand correctly, Khabib won’t be with us in the corner. I didn’t ask him personally. If he wants to do something, he’ll tell me.”

Mendez also talked about how this fight was going to be different from the Poirier vs. Nurmagomedov bout. This is because Makhachev has trained in all the styles including Muay Thai and boxing with other coaches from Dagestan as well. 

This fight is probably one of the most important bouts for Makhachev because it is against Poirier, one of the most decorated lightweight fighters in UFC even if he did not win the title. Makhachev wants to follow what Nurmagomedov did and win this fight. Meanwhile, since Makhachev knows about the famous guillotine choke of Poirier that the latter even used on his Dagestani friend and coach, he is training in preparation for that.

Islam Makahchev planning on using the guillotine choke?

Dustin Poirier is generally known to have a tight guillotine choke which he uses on most of his opponents. He even used it on Nurmagomedov at UFC 242 and had the former champion in serious trouble.  The fighter with 15KO/TKO wins is also a good grappler and hence Makhachev is not underestimating him. The Dagestani was seen practicing his own guillotine choke as ESPN shared a video of the lightweight champ rolling on the mat while training.

Makhachev was trying to control his opponent’s posture during the guillotine choke in the video. He ended up at the top and managed to hold his opponent down. He is getting the best coaching from Khabib Nurmagomedov and all the hints to make Poirier taste defeat. Makhachev also seemed confident as he reiterated that he was going to use Nurmagomedov’s tactic and make Poirier exhausted by letting him use the choke. 

As the Dagestani is gearing up for the fight, fans are waiting with bated breath to see who will win. Do you think Makhachev can escape Poirier’s famous guillotine choke?