US Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez has clarified the details surrounding Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement from coaching, noting that ‘The Eagle’ never said he was staying away from the sport entirely.
After going 29-0, and capturing the UFC World Lightweight Championship along the way, Nurmagomedov retired from the sport in 2020 after defending the title against perennial contender Justin Gaethje. Since then, “The Eagle” has continued to be a constant presence in events while boxing in fighters, including 155-pound reigning champion Islam Makhachev. However, fans were thrown into another curveball when Nurmagomedov seemingly announced his retirement from training and was notably absent during Makhachev’s UFC 284 fight with featherweight champ Aleksandr Volkanovsky.
As it turns out, Nurmagomedov may not actually be trained. The likelihood of him being seen alongside the octagon on Fight Night is certainly slim, but according to Javier Mendes, ‘The Eagle’ still shows up inside the gym from time to time.
“One thing people don’t understand is that he never said he wasn’t going to train people,” Mendes said. Shmo. “He said he wouldn’t be in the corner and would travel to fight in the camps because he was spending time with his family. He never said he’d never come and visit here and there and train men. He never said any of that. He still stands by everything he ever said.” (h/t MMA news).
Javier Mendez also confirmed that The Eagle is back in the gym, helping his cousin Abubakar Nurmagomedov prepare for his UFC Fight Night bout with Elizeu Zaleski on June 3. With Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov both expected to return later this year, Mendez is hoping the UFC Hall of Famer can get back into the gym and take some of the load off his shoulders.
“He never said never either, so I hope at some point he can come back and help me because having him in the corner is a huge motivator for me and our boys,” Mendes explained. “Then my job is easier. I don’t have to worry about anything. I just sit in the back seat and let him drive because he’s a hell of a driver.”
Javier Mendes believes he has another future world champion on his hands along with Umar Nurmagomedov
Javier Mendez could be very busy in the near future as he has another potential future world champion with Umar Nurmagomedov. A 16-0 lead is on the cusp of becoming a legitimate contender in the bantamweight division. Speaking of the ‘Young Eagle’ path, Mendez suggested that it’s only a matter of time before he takes on top-five opponents on his path to becoming a UFC world champion.
“Soon to be (champion), we have ‘Little Eagle’, which is Omar, Khabib’s cousin… He’s going to be the bantamweight champion,” Mendes said. “Anyone in the top five is the right opponent (for him)… The probability of him hitting him is not in their interest. I don’t see anyone beating him in the bantamweight division.
“We are training to fight, we are just waiting for a fight date…“ Little Eagle ”Omar will be champion at the beginning of next year. The new UFC bantamweight champion, I expect that, ”Mendez continued. “We got a top-five for his next fight, and I know he’s going to beat him. Then the title shot is next. I really believe in my heart that the UFC is going to do it.”