“Most Competitive”: Javier Mendez Reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Obsession Over Winning at Everything
.webp&w=3840&q=75)
The head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy shared that even a minor discussion about football players reveals a side of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov that fans never get to see.
AKA is one of the most renowned MMA teams, featuring elite athletes such as UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, Umar Nurmagomedov, and undefeated PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov.
But according to Javier Mendez, the inactive former UFC lightweight champion is the most competitive person in the entire group.
Mendez: Khabib Nurmagomedov Doesn't Want to Lose at Anything
When asked about the most competitive person among Umar, Islam, Khabib, and Usman in an interview with Weighing In, Mendez didn't hesitate for a second.
"Khabib. He doesn't like to lose at nothing, nothing. No matter what it is, he don't like to lose at nothing," Mendez said.
"Very competitive. Whatever it is, he wants to win. Whether it's going to be an agreement, who knows more football players, who knows more of this, who can run faster, who can do this, he doesn't want to lose at nothing. He's like Hershel Walker in a way," Mendez added.
It is a revealing portrait of an athlete who retired from the brutal sport without any blemish on his record. The UFC Hall of Famer hung up his gloves in 2020 with a 29-0 record and was still the lightweight champion. However, he is still very deep in the game with his coaching.
Retired in the Cage, Undefeated in the Corner
After retiring from competition, Khabib took up the coaching role for his cousins and teammates in the sport. It was also his late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's, dream.
And given the success of his pupils, it is safe to say that ‘The Eagle’ delivered on this role too. Now, under his guidance, Islam Makhachev has held titles in two divisions in the UFC, a feat even Khabib didn’t achieve.
His cousin Umar Nurmagomedov has been in title contention in the UFC’s bantamweight division, with Khabib in his corner at every major fight.
Moreover, Usman Nurmagomedov unified his PFL and Bellator titles, cementing his legacy outside the UFC. Currently, he is the most anticipated undefeated lightweight free agent in the sport.
A man who refuses to lose in MMA or even in ordinary debates has assembled a group of athletes who barely know what it means to lose. Khabib has built a legacy inside and outside the cage.
