Islam Makhachev's coach needs to work out to hold pads for him
Islam Makhachev's striking has significantly improved from a first-round KO loss in his sophomore UFC outing to his lightweight championship victory over Charles Oliveira.
In fact, Makhachev has become such a hard hitter that his coach Javier Mendez seemingly has to work out in order to hold pads for the lightweight champ.
Makhachev recently captured a workout video of Javier Mendez, who has been his coach and mentor at the American Kickboxing Academy since he left Dagestan. The video shows Mendez doing lat pulldowns while his pupil walks in saying
"Let's go coach"
Mendez, perhaps in good humor, claimed that he has to hit the gym so that he can hold pads for Makhachev once a week. The AKA head coach said:
"You see the guy working out? I have to work out because I have to hold pads for you once a week."
Makhachev inquired:
"Because I have hard punch?"
Mendez responded:
"Yeah, you have a hard punch."
Watch the clip below:
Islam Makhachev, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Khabib Nurmagomedov, has developed a close relationship with Javier Mendez over the years. Mendez has also made AKA into a home for Dagestani talent since Nurmagomedov entered the gym in 2012.
Javier Mendez doesn't expect Islam Makhachev to finish Alexander Volkanovksi
Islam Makhachev is slated to meet Alexander Volkanovski in the main event at UFC 284 in Perth on February 11. The lightweight champ will look to take Volanovksi's pound-for-pound number one spot while 'The Great' aspires for double-champion status.
While Makhachev is a heavy favorite going into the bout, Mendez isn't expecting a finish from his pupil. Mendez expects a full five-round war, where he has no doubts about Makhachev edging out a decision. The AKA head coach recently told Helen Yee:
“I expect at the end of the day Islam Makhachev is going to be pound-for-pound the best fighter in the UFC or in the world. After he beats Alex, which I’m expecting him to do, but not like people are thinking, like any kind of finish. I don’t like that. It’s going to be a five-round war... In my opinion, there is no one in the lightweight division that’s gonna beat Islam outside of what anybody can. Anybody can win, but on a decision? No one’s gonna beat him.”
Catch Mendez's comments below: