Javier Mendez: “Dana White will use his ‘pull’ with Donald Trump to bring Khamzat back to the US”

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FightBook MMA had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Javier Mendez, on behalf of our friends over at Canada Casino, who’s Khabib Nurmagomedov’s trainer.

Speaking to CanadaCasino.ca, Mendez said: 

• Dana White will use his ‘pull’ with Donald Trump to bring Khamzat back to the US
• Khabib and Islam are ‘already working’ on identifying Arman Tsarukyan’s weaknesses
• ‘Let Topuria keep chirping’ – he’s not on Islam’s horizon 
• Jon Jones will remembered alongside Lance Armstrong
• When Jon Jones beats Stipe, Alex Pereira is the biggest fight for him – not Aspinall
• I’d favor Paddy Pimblett over McGregor and Moicano
• Usman can beat Shavkat
• The new gloves don’t feel right

Javier Mendez: Donald Trump will bring Khamzat back to the US, Khabib is plotting Tsarukyan’s downfall, Topuria is not on Islam’s ‘horizon

Dana White will use his ‘pull’ with Donald Trump to bring Khamzat back to the US

“I’m hoping Khamzat gets to come back to fight in the U.S. that would be great for the fans. He’s a great fighter, and everyone loves to watch him, whether you want to see him win or lose. I want to see him win, so I’d love to see him in the U.S. more often. He’s a great fighter and you want to see the great ones fight in the US. He’s going to be one of the greats.I don’t know the specifics, but with Dana White being a close friend of Trump’s, if Dana has any pull, he’ll likely ask for something like that—if it’s the right thing to do.

“Obviously Trump is not going to do anything that isn’t correct for the country, but I think there’s no harm in getting that [Khamzat fighting the US] accomplished. It would be huge for his career. He’s already big, but he’d be even bigger if he could fight in the States.

“The message Khamzat has sent to the division is: don’t let me get you down because it’s not going to be pleasant. You may not tap, but your jaw could still get broken, which is what happened here. There were circumstances, like Robert’s separated teeth, that made it easier to cause the effect it did.

“But still, the pain is real, and fighters won’t want to be in that position. Khamzat is a great grappler. Khamzat is an A-plus, Khabib an A-plus, and Islam’s an A-plus. I definitely put those three in the top category in grappling in MMA.”

Khabib and Islam are ‘already working’ on identifying Arman Tsarukyan’s weaknesses

“Arman is a complete fighter, so he’s a threat anywhere. We’d need to be very careful and review his fights to find and expose his weaknesses.

“Right now, Islam’s with his coaches, Magomed Seifulla Magomedov, and the main coach, Khabi, they are already working on it in case that fight happens next. But until the UFC announces it, it’s not real to me. It’s not official until both sides sign and the UFC announces it. But I’d choose Arman—he deserves it. We want the toughest guys.

“We’re not ducking anyone and he’s proved to be the toughest guy. That’s what a champion is supposed to do—fight the best.”

‘Let Topuria keep chirping’ – he’s not on Islam’s horizon 

“Topuria is not quite in Islam’s department just yet. Let Ilia keep clearing his division, and let Islam keep handling his job at lightweight and hopefully down the line there’s a match-up. Let IIia keep chirping, let him do his thing, he’s doing a great job. 

“I like what Ilia’s doing—he’s calling out fighters, not attacking religion or nationality, just the fighters themselves. I’m a fan of his. But if we do end up fighting him someday, we’ll look for ways to beat him. But Ilia hasn’t done much more than one title defense.

“Islam already had two title defenses against featherweights, if he had fought another one, what would that do for his legacy? If he beats him then they say ‘he was a featherweight’. I’d rather not. Illia is not on our horizon. Islam wants to be known for beating people in his own weight class, not just taking on guys moving up. It doesn’t benefit him right now.

“Let the hype build, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. But for now, it’s premature unless the UFC decides otherwise.”

Jon Jones will remembered alongside Lance Armstrong

“He’ll go down as one of the greatest, no doubt, whether he wins or loses. Personally, I wouldn’t call him the greatest, because of what he’s done in fights and what he’s been caught for. It’s the same as Lance Armstrong; he was stripped of his titles.

“I’m sorry but if this is legit sport I feel there should be accountability in sports. So, while Jones is one of the greatest, in my book, Khabib is the greatest. [His misdemeanors] should affect how he’s remembered.

“In all other sports it matters, so why does it not hold true here? Why is it in the olympics and you get caught for something, why do you lose the gold medal?  There’s always going to be a question mark over Jones because of that.”

When Jon Jones beats Stipe, Alex Pereira is the biggest fight for him – not Aspinall

“Man, Stipe’s a great guy, but I just don’t know. In every department Stipe is good at, I see Jon being better. Stand-up, ground game—everything that Stipe excels at, I see Jon being superior. In terms of size, you can’t even say Stipe is bigger now; Jon might actually be bigger come fight time. Height-wise, Stipe doesn’t have an edge, and chin-wise, Jon has the advantage, never having been knocked out.

“On the ground, Jon has submitted people. Even wrestling-wise, Jon might be better. Stipe is one of the greatest heavyweights, maybe the greatest heavyweight, but with Jon Jones—I don’t know. When you’re comparing talent in each area, Jones is ahead in every department.Stipe is so tough. But I can see it going five rounds because Stipe is a tough customer.

“Logically, you would think we’d get a double retirement right? What does Jon have left to prove? He’s been at the top of the heap for so long, and as you said, most people do consider him the greatest of all time. What else does he have left to prove?

“I definitely could see Pereira next for Jones. He’s a fan favorite, a champion warrior like I’ve never seen before. He’ll take a fight on two weeks’ notice against the best guy in another division. I’ve never in my life seen that. He’s special, one of a kind, so I’m not surprised by anything that could happen with Alex; he says ‘yes’ to everybody. 

“I do think Jones v Pereira is a bigger fight than Jones v Aspinall. Pereira is such a fan favorite, and he’s been active. People respect him a lot. I think Aspinall might be the more dangerous guy for Jones, but worldwide, Pereira would be the favorite that people would want to see with Jones. 

“I think Aspinall can beat Jones, I think he’s the biggest threat to Jones. Personally, from watching Aspinall, I’ve thought he was going to be the heir to the title ever since I saw him fight way back. I talked about him being incredible, and I definitely think he is the one, out of everyone, who has the best chance to beat Jones.”

I’d favor Paddy Pimblett over McGregor and Moicano

“Moicano is very good on the mic and entertaining. It’s a good fight for Paddy if it happens, it’s a good fight for Paddy to prove all the doubters wrong. I was one of those doubters, but he proved me wrong too.

“Good job Paddy, don’t listen to anyone’s negativity. I did not think he was ready but I was wrong. Would I bet against Paddy now against Moicano, not at this stage, no – unless he’s fighting my guys. He’s a character, a real fighter. WWE would be right up his alley.

“Paddy and McGregor would be a great fight not just in England but the US too.  It’d be a great fight, and I’d favor Paddy because he’s more of a fighter now and I’m not sure if McGregor is anymore. He may come back and prove us wrong but I favor Paddy because of where his state of mind is with fighting.

“We don’t know if he’s in or out. He might be fantastic in camp but I’m betting not based on what I hear in the inner circles, I’m betting he’s not taking it seriously.”

Usman can beat Shavkat

“Usman stepping in against Shavkat is the right call to save that card. Usman didn’t lower his stock from his performance against Chimaev, so he’s definitely the right guy for the job. Not an easy fight. He definitely could beat Shavkat.”

The new gloves don’t feel right

“I’ve noticed the fighters don’t like the new gloves. They just don’t feel real right, they’re softer but maybe there’s less eye pokes so maybe it’s a good thing. They’re not 100 percent sold on them. Maybe some fighters are, but most are not.”