Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Coach Reveals Secret to Defeating Conor McGregor to Michael Chandler
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s renowned coach, Javier Mendez, has divulged crucial wisdom to Michael Chandler on how to overcome the trash-talking juggernaut, Conor McGregor. Mendez, who guided Nurmagomedov to a victory against McGregor in 2018, emphasized the importance of not succumbing to McGregor’s psychological warfare.
While the official date for McGregor’s highly anticipated return to the octagon against former Bellator MMA world champion Chandler is yet to be announced, the showdown is expected to take place in the first quarter of the coming year. Mendez’s coaching expertise, which played a pivotal role in Nurmagomedov’s triumph over McGregor, focused significantly on preparing his fighter to remain unfazed by McGregor’s verbal onslaught.
In an interview with Lordping, Mendez stated, ‘Don’t allow Conor’s war of words to get you upset’ because he’s a master at that. That’s one thing we prepared for from the very first day that Khabib vs McGregor was announced. I told Khabib every day he’s going to come after your family, religion and your country.”
Mendez also expressed his belief that McGregor could have the upper hand in this bout due to Chandler’s propensity for entertaining stand-up exchanges. He suggested that Chandler should adopt a grappling-heavy approach similar to Nurmagomedov’s style, continuously pressuring McGregor and denying him the opportunity to settle into his striking rhythm.
As the MMA world eagerly awaits the official announcement of the McGregor vs. Chandler showdown, Mendez’s insights provide valuable guidance for Chandler as he prepares to step into the cage against one of the sport’s biggest star
Coach Foresees Epic Rivalry: Sean O’Malley vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Could Rival McGregor vs. Khabib
In the world of MMA, the name “Nurmagomedov” carries immense weight, and Umar Nurmagomedov, known as the “Young Eagle,” is no exception. With an unblemished record of 16-0, he’s on a trajectory that mirrors his cousin, the legendary former UFC Lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. This has led some elite-level fighters to predict a future rivalry between O’Malley and Umar, similar to the iconic showdown between Khabib and Conor McGregor.
Javier Mendez, the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), who has worked with both Nurmagomedovs, envisions a rivalry that could reach the same magnitude as McGregor vs. Khabib, but with a difference. He believes that O’Malley, unlike McGregor, would maintain a higher level of sportsmanship and avoid bringing religion, country, and family into the trash talk. Mendez stated, “I think Umar and Sean could be as big as McGregor and Khabib, but the only thing is Sean O’Malley has more class than McGregor. He won’t bring religion, country, and family into the picture.”
The McGregor vs. Khabib clash in October 2018 was one of the most intense matchups in MMA history, breaking pay-per-view records with 2.4 million buys. Nurmagomedov emerged victorious with a fourth-round neck crank.
Umar, 27, was set for a significant bout against Cory Sandhagen in August 2023 but suffered a shoulder injury. His last victory, a first-round technical knockout of Raoni Barcelos in January 2023, showcased his potential. Mendez anticipates Umar’s return in early 2024 and is eager to see him face a top-five opponent, regardless of who it may be, as they work towards a title shot.
More MMA news
- Conor McGregor calls Khabib Nurmagomedov “homophobic” in crazy deleted rant
- Kamaru Usman open to Middleweight move after UFC 261 but on one condition
- Jiri Prochazka says Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor and others inspired him
Follow our dedicated MMA page for instant MMA news and update
