Coach Javier Mendez addresses Khabib Nurmagomedov's involvement in Belal Muhammad's title win: "Khabib only put like maybe a week"
Belal Muhammad has occasionally trained with Khabib Nurmagomedov in recent times, in addition to working with his regular coaches. Muhammad notably trained with the Dagestani icon in the lead-up to his TKO win over Sean Brady in 2022, and after his title-winning efforts against Leon Edwards, many are crediting Nurmagomedov for the welterweight's success.
However, Nurmagomedov's coach, Javier Mendez, has had it with people crediting 'The Eagle' for Muhammad's impressive performance against Edwards. 'Remember the Name' claimed a statement win over 'Rocky' in the main event of UFC 304 at the Co-op Live in Manchester earlier this month.
Muhammad's grappling prowess was on full display from the get-go, as he dominated the champion on the ground for the majority of the fight. During an interview with Shakeil Mahjouri of CBS Sports in the lead-up to the fight, he even credited Nurmagomedov for helping him, saying:
"[Training with Nurmagomedov] benefits me everywhere. Physically, mentally, and spiritually it just puts me on another level. Training with him and getting advice from him is worth 20, 30, 40 or 50 days with anybody else."
Catch Belal Muhammad's comments below (2:35):
However, during a recent interview with Submission Radio, Mendez clarified that his pupil's contribution to Muhammad's preparations had been blown out of proportion.
"What about his coaches? What about Lou [Louis Taylor]? What about his other coaches? Mike Valle, you know, what about them? I mean they were with him this whole time, so to me, it isn't anything other than what they did as coaching staff because Khabib only put like maybe a week [or] two weeks to help him on this one, and the rest he spent with his coaches. So, to me, I don't like the narrative when they make it look like Khabib made the big difference when yeah he helped him, but his coaches made the difference."
Catch Javier Mendez's comments on Khabib Nurmagomedov below (15:00):
Khabib Nurmagomedov also redirected credited to Belal Muhammad's coaches
During the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White seemingly attributed Belal Muhammad's dominant showing against Leon Edwards to his association with Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Catch Dana White's comments on Belal Muhammad's UFC 304 win below:
'The Eagle', however, was quick to correct the narrative, stating that Muhammad's coaches deserved all the credit. In an Instagram story, Nurmagomedov wrote:
"Belal trained with his coaches, he has very high-class coaches, I just helped him in small things. All credit goes to his coaches and Belal's heart."
![Khabib Nurmagomedov clears the air regarding involvement in Belal Muhammad's camp. [Screenshot courtesy of @khabib_nurmagomedov on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/08/cbd14-17232784736900-1920.jpg?w=500)