American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez says Khabib Nurmagomedov is still heavily involved in his teammates’ training camps.
In January, it was hinted that Nurmagomedov would be stepping away from coaching to spend more time with his family. Alongside Mendez, “The Eagle” was named MMA Junkie’s 2022 Coach of the Year after his team went 19-2 – including Islam Makhachev’s UFC title win and Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator title win.
Nurmagomedov was recently spotted training at AKA, and Mendez clarified that he’s still coaching but won’t be making trips to corner any fighters.
“Well, it’s gonna be me for sure. I’m pretty sure Khabib won’t be in the corner. He stated that,” Mendez told The Schmo of cornering Abubakar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC on ESPN 45. “One thing people don’t understand, he never said he wouldn’t coach people. He said he’s not going to be in the corner and travel to fight camps because he’s spending time with his family, never said he wouldn’t come and visit here and there and train the guys. He’s never said none of that.
“He’s still holding true to everything he’s said, and he never said never either. I’m hoping at some point he can come back and help me because him being in the corner is such a huge motivator for the guys and me, because then my job’s easier, because I hardly have to worry about anything. I just sit in the backseat and let him drive, because he’s a hell of a driver.”
Nurmagomedov’s cousin, Abubakar (17-3-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), returns to action Saturday when he meets Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (23-7 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the UFC on ESPN 45 main card opener at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 45.
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