Sport Javier Mendez: Both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would dominate Charles Oliveira

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Javier Mendez has no doubt that two of his star students would be a nightmare matchup for UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Being that he’s currently retired, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov won’t be able to put that theory to the test, but American Kickboxing Academy’s rising star and Nurmagomedov protege Islam Makhachev is well on his way to earning that opportunity.

Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) faces Beneil Dariush in the main event of a UFC Fight Night event on Feb. 26 and if victorious, could emerge as the next title challenger at 155 pounds. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mendez thinks both Nurmagomedov and Makhachev’s grappling would be too much for Oliveira.

Mendes: Khabib And Makhachev Would Dominate Oliveira

Javier Mendes says both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev would dominate and defeat current UFC lightweight champion, Charles Oliveira.According to head trainer of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Javier Mendez, however, there are two specific fighters that would end “Do Bronx’s” run at the top. And they are both his pupils. Indeed, Mendes says that not only would former division king Khabib Nurmagomedov dominate Oliveira, but “The Eagle’s” protege, Islam Makhachev, would do the same.

Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to see a title fight between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev materialize by the end of 2022. Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) retained his lightweight title this past Saturday when he submitted Dustin Poirier in the UFC 269 headliner and is projected to face Justin Gaethje next. Makhachev (21-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is booked to face Beneil Dariush in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Feb. 26, and Nurmagomedov is hoping the stars align and both Oliveira and Makhachev emerge victorious in their respective bouts.

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev have been training together since their childhood days. While the former UFC lightweight champion has bid farewell to in-cage action, his longtime friend and teammate is still thriving in the sport. According to Nurmagomedov , Makhachev will soon be a Poirier is likely to take on Charles Oliveira in his next fight, with the 155-pound strap on the line. "I don't think he ( Charles Oliveira ) will be the champion when Islam ( Makhachev ) rises to that level. It's important that Oliveira doesn't misinterpret my words. I respect him. I just think when Islam goes up

“I know they both would beat Charles, in my opinion because look, they’re both my fighters,” Mendez said. “Stylistically-wise, Islam could strike, he can kick. Khabib wasn’t a great kicker. Khabib would have to go straight to the grappling with Charles and probably dominate him there. As a matter of fact, I know he would. I know Khabib would dominate him there, and I kind of feel, my personal opinion, as great as Charles is, I think Islam would dominate him there. too.”

In a recent interview with ESPN, Nurmagomedov lauded Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC), who recently notched his first title defense when he submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 269. With Makhachev and Oliveira owning two of the longest winning streaks in the division, Nurmagomedov said he hopes Oliveira is champion when Makhachev gets to a title shot.

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Islam Makhachev is khabib 's life long friend and team mate, many people call him the next khjabib, the next UFC lightweight champion, the successor of

Javier Mendez thinks very highly of Islam Makhachev ' s abilities inside the octagon. So much so that Mendez rates Makhachev higher than his most successful pupil Khabib Nurmagomedov in various aspects of the fight game. On a recent episode of the Real Quick with Mike Swick podcast, Mendez revealed what sets Islam Makhachev apart from Khabib . Islam Makhachev is set to take on former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 267 later this year. With a win, Makhachev could very well be next in line to fight for the title against the winner of Dustin Poirier vs Charles Oliveira .

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