Islam Makhachev's coach reveals how Khabib Nurmagomedov's direction helped Makhachev change fight strategy after walk-out
Javier Mendez has revealed how he and Khabib Nurmagomedov changed the gameplan for one of Islam Makhachev's fights at the very last minute.
Ahead of UFC 284, Makhachev's coach Mendez sat down for a chat with 'Submission Radio'. At one point during the conversation, Mendez spoke about how during the walkouts of Makhachev's fight against Thiago Moises, the AKA coach and 'The Eagle' told Makhachev to change the fight strategy.
"For one of [Islam Makhachev's] fights in Las Vegas... when he fought the Brazilian kid [Thiago Moises], we had the gameplan of standing... there was no ground, we were just gonna stand with him. Walkinguout, since he [Moises] was the first one out, I looked at him, I said, 'Hey Khabib, he looks a little smaller than I thought... Let's change plan... let's just take him to the ground.'
"And he looks at me and goes, 'Yeah, you're right. I think that's the better plan.' So, we tell Islam as he's walking out, 'Islam, change the plan. Take him to the ground.'... Islam is that well trained... He can do whatever. He's that good," said Javier Mendez.
You can listen to Javier Mendez's comments from the 2:59 mark below:
Makhachev went up against Moises in July 2021. The 31-year-old outclassed the Brazilian for the majority of the fight and proceeded to submit him with a rear-naked choke in the fourth round.
Khabib Nurmagomedov uploads a post praising Islam Makhachev ahead of UFC 284
MMA superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov will not be present in Islam Makhachev's corner for his fight against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284.
But 'The Eagle' took to social media to show his support for Makhachev, calling him the 'best in the game'.
Daniel Cormier, who is close to both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev, recently commented on 'The Eagle's absence on the 'DC & RC' show. According to 'DC', Makhachev has probably his peace with the former lightweight champion not being in his corner come Saturday.
"I think Islam's come to terms with it. I haven't had an opportunity to ask him about it, but everything I see publicly, everything I see him say, uhh... tells me that he's come to terms with now I have to go and compete without my guy [Khabib Nurmagomedov] and although it sucks it does happen right."
Watch the full episode below: