Latest news with #JavierMendez
Khaleej Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Javier Mendez: How the UAE Became His Next Big MMA Mission
From fighter to world-class UFC coach, Javier Mendez is one of the latest global fight stars to call Dubai home. Khaleej Times sat down with the Mexican-American to discuss life in the emirates, his mission to train the next generation of fighters, and the UAE's potential to be a regional capital for the mixed martial arts. Mendez began his own fighting career in 1985 in the field of kickboxing and in 1992 won the ISKA international karate light cruiserweight world title, followed soon after by the 1995 light heavyweight title. But his calling was leaning more towards coaching than fighting, so in 1996 he retired. 'I was already training fighters so I moved into being a gym owner and coach,' he said. 'My first introduction to UFC was with Brian Johnstone who became the first of many champions, and later I worked with Frank Shamrock who in 1998 won the UFC title (middleweight).' Since then, the rest is history, and Mendez has become a global name in the sport. 'It was an easy transition as I was more of a coach than a fighter at heart - fighting used to kill me. I couldn't deal with the nerves. It was too much on me. At the very end when I got really good, the nerves were almost gone, then all of a sudden, when you conquer that I wanted the whole place to be packed as I was able to perform at the best level,' he recalled. But he has a wealth of stars to his name, including Khabib Nurmagomedov, who he calls 'the Mohammed Ali of our era'. 'I coached him in the US in 2012 and I'm famous because of him,' he said. Mendez has also coached his cousin, Umar, another top contender in the UFC. He first came to the UAE in 2019 when Nurmagomedov fought Dustin Poirier, at a time when Abu Dhabi was making UFC a key part of its sporting calendar. Since then, he has been spending an increasing amount of time in the country. "I got to love it so much here and I have brothers in all the emirates so it feels like home here. I'm looking to do different kinds of business ventures,' he told Khaleej Times, the demand only growing. 'I see the fight community really growing because of what Sheikh Tahnoun created with the BJJ community. Abu Dhabi is the most concentrated BJJ community in the world. He opened up so many programmes with the government. 'There are something like 200,000 or more BJJ practitioners; he's put it in the schools, army, gyms. The government has done an unbelievable job of organising and structuring these programmes seeing its value on life, mental strength, self-defense, even if it's not needed here, but BJJ gives you confidence.' Abu Dhabi hosting two UFC events a year has helped the sport grow so much that even Saudi Arabia is hosting events from UFC and PFL, Mendez said, seeing the huge potential of the sport for both entertainment and tourism. Until recently, the sport was more popular among expats and foreign athletes coming to the emirates, but that is all starting to change, Dubai also picking up on the growing demand bringing fights from the PFL to the Coca Cola Arena while Abu Dhabi hosts the UFC. Mendez has been coaching the young Emirati talent Hadi Omar for three years, who first came to him in California. He calls Omar 'the most well-rounded emirati fighter here', the young man fast becoming a role model for young Emiratis to look up to. 'People see him as a great athlete, a great individual to aspire to. It's important that Emiratis are starting to have one of their own to look towards. The young need to see someone like them to look up to. His career has gone really well and he's the rising star of the UAE right now with a proven model of success.' Now, Mendez is advising organisations such as the Dubai Sports Council on how to create a formalised fight system with a nucleus of events that showcase the locals. 'It is needed here to really start titles coming,' he explained. 'You have to have a plan and direction to take it to the next level, without this, you won't accomplish anything.' The future is bright for the country, he says, the potential for growth huge.'My dream is to bring the UAE into being a powerhouse in MMA, to make it a training hub and attract world-class fighters so I can also produce new fighters.'
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Islam Makhachev clarifies UFC retirement speculation: 'We're just beginning'
People around Islam Makhachev might have certain ideas about the timeline for his retirement from MMA, but he will be the one to make the final call. One of his longtime coaches, Javier Mendez of American Kickboxing Academy, stated this past month that he believes Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) only has three fights remaining in his career, including his expected next bout against UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. Advertisement Shortly thereafter, one of Makhachev's managers, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, said that was incorrect, and he instead believed the former longtime UFC lightweight champion still has at least three good years of competition left. Makhachev said everyone is welcome to share their takes, but right now retirement couldn't be further from his mind. He is focused on conquering a new challenge at 170-pounds and achieving his "dream" of a second belt in a second UFC weight class after vacating lightweight gold. "Javier has his opinion, Ali has his opinion – I have my opinion," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "We're just beginning. This is a new book. We're just beginning." After some gruelling cuts down to 155 pounds, Makhachev will get some physical relief competing at welterweight and could potentially add more fights to his career. It also comes down to how often he can compete, too. Advertisement Makhachev had initially hoped for three fights in 2025. Given the change in weight class it's going to be two, and he would prefer UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25, or ideally November's UFC 322 event in New York City. "We will see when I'm going to fight," Makhachev said. "Madison Square Garden or Las Vegas or Abu Dhabi, because still we don't have the day. If not Madison Square Garden, I want to fight in Abu Dhabi. I don't want to wait." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev on UFC retirement timeline: 'We're just beginning'
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Another three fights' - Coach Javier Mendez makes shocking revelation on Islam Makhachev's retirement plans ahead of welterweight title bout
Islam Makhachev and Javier Mendez. Image via Javier Mendez/Instagram Former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez , revealed some shocking facts about the fighter's retirement plans . The Russian fighter recently vacated his title and moved up to the welterweight division , aiming for a two-weight championship status. Even though it is almost confirmed that Makhachev will be facing the newly crowned Jack Della Maddalena for the belt, the date and venue for the bout have not been announced yet. Javier Mendez analyses the current state of welterweight division, explains the timeline of Islam Makhachev's bouts after facing Jack Della Maddalena In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Islam Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez, reflected upon the latest win secured by Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta against Joaquin Buckley. The Nigerian fighter is on a mission to reclaim his lost belt and wants to face the winner of the bout between Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena. Pondering on the probability of Usman getting a title shot next, Mendez stated, 'Possible. Depends on what the UFC thinks.I mean, I think Shavkat needs to be considered. Also Ian Garry. You know Belal Muhammad also too.' The coach continued, 'The welterweight division has become the hotbed for the UFC at the present time.' Javier Mendez REACTS to Usman Wanting Islam Title Shot, Says Makhachev not afraid to stand with JDM! While analysing the future prospects within the division, Mendez also reflected upon the future of Makhachev in the world of combat sports. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Brain's Favorite Workout Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo The 33-year-old fighter throughout his career has suffered only one loss and that was in the early stages of his UFC career against Adriano Martins. His pro-MMA record stands at 27-1-0, with his latest win against Renato Moicano in a lightweight title bout. The fighter won the championship belt in his bout against Charles Oliveira and has defended the belt for four straight times since then. Even though the fighter announced his move up to the welterweight division, fans might not get to see him in action for a very long time now. Talking about Makhachev's retirement plans, coach Mendez stated, 'I'm anticipating we'll see Islam hopefully for maybe another three fights total. Let's see who's in the works on that, if we get by JDM.' Also read: 'No one even knew who they were' - Jake Paul sparks outrage with bold self-comparison involving Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson With an exciting bout coming up, it might not be a very good news for UFC fans, owing to the possible short tenure of the Russian fighter within the division. It was UFC 315 that was the deciding factor for Makhachev regarding his recent move up to the welterweight division.
Pink Villa
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Pink Villa
Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach Javier Mendez? AKA trainer sparks headlines for comment on Merab Dvalishvili's UFC rank jump
Khabib Nurmagomedov carved out an extraordinary legacy in MMA through his dominant run in the UFC's lightweight division, retiring undefeated with a flawless 29-0 record. His coach, Javier Mendez, recently shared his thoughts on UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili's leap in the pound-for-pound rankings, saying the two-spot jump was a 'little too much'. Now, let's take a look at all the details about Javier Mendez. Who is Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach Javier Mendez? Khabib Nurmagomedov's primary coach Javier Mendez is the well-known head coach at the famous American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose. The two-time ISKA kickboxing world champion winner, Javier has trained several MMA fighters including Khabib, Islam Makhachev, Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, and many more. Meanwhile, after retiring in 2020, Khabib Nurmagomedov also began providing coaching at AKA and has been the main strategist behind the success of elite fighters like Khabib, Islam Makhachev, and others. He is working closely with Mendez to support and train his teammates. Apart from them, he is also training his cousins. So, though Khabib Nurmagomedov plays a significant mentor and cornerman role for his team post-retirement, the primary coaching duties are being seen by Javier Mendez, head coach at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). Meanwhile, while appearing on the recent episode of the Javier & Mo Show on YouTube, Javier Mendez opened up on UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, who holds the No. 2 spot in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, right behind dominant lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He shared, 'That's a little too much of a jump because, you know, (Illia) Topuria didn't discredit himself by his last performance. But Merab (was) impressive. But Topuria, his performances were great too.' He also opened up about Ilia Topuria, who currently holds the No. 4 spot in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. Praising his dominance, Mendez said, 'He destroyed everybody, you know. And then how he destroyed Max (Holloway). (But Dvalishvili) looked good. He looked good.'
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Javier Mendez: Belal Muhammad's UFC 315 loss caused by issue Khabib Nurmagomedov faced
Javier Mendez: Belal Muhammad's UFC 315 loss caused by issue Khabib Nurmagomedov faced Javier Mendez disagrees with Belal Muhammad's approach in his UFC 315 title loss, but understands why he did it. Muhammad (24-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) opted to predominantly strike in his unanimous decision loss to Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in Saturday's main event at Bell Centre in Montreal. As a result, he suffered a broken nose, orbital bone, and a split lip. Mendez recalls former undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov's eagerness to show off his striking and prove that he's not just an elite grappler. While Nurmagomedov never paid for it when he stood and traded with Al Iaquinta in their vacant title fight at UFC 223, Muhammad did against Della Maddalena. "None of us thought that Belal would be able to beat him just standing up, so he wanted to do what none of us thought that he could do, that's what I'm thinking," Mendez told Submission Radio. "I could be wrong, but that's what it appeared like to me that he wanted to stand. He didn't want to implement what got him the title. I used to be on Khabib all the time because Khabib, everybody always criticized him for not being good at striking. "I'd always keep him on track, but he'd always go off track trying to prove to people that he could stand, and he could stand as the fights went on later. Later, he was able to stand really well – extremely well. But I still didn't like that because I wanted him to go back to what made him the best, and that's the mistake a lot of fighters make. They want to try to prove their point that they can do things that people think they can't do." Mendez also gave credit to Della Maddalena for his ability to keep the fight on the feet. "At the same time, too, maybe Jack didn't allow him those opportunities," Mendez said. "But Jack did a great job. He mixes up his punches and his kicks really well, keeps his distance really well, stayed in the middle the majority of the time. He's all around just a really, really good fighter."
