Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach recalls memorable conversation with his protégé: 'Go out there and lose'

Javier Mendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov analyze Alexander Volkanovski. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @akajav

Um dos atletas mais dominantes da última década, Khabib Nurmagomedov não deixou de viver momentos difíceis enquanto lutador profissional. Além de ter sofrido com graves lesões que o fizeram considerar pendurar as luvas precocemente, o Águia também teve problemas para se adaptar com a atenção da mídia conforme sua fama foi aumentando. Neste contexto, o apoio de seu treinador principal nos EUA, Javier Mendez, foi imprescindível.

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In an interview with Espaitec's Hikmat Wehbi last Friday (5), the coach recalled a conversation he had with the Russian in 2017, after hearing from the then fighter that he was feeling tired due to the number of interviews and media commitments.

"I told Khabib in 2017, before he was champion, that he was doing too many interviews. He was getting really tired, and I asked, 'What's going on?' And he said, 'Oh, coach, I'm tired of all the interviews.' And I said, 'Do you want this to end?' He said, 'Yes.' And I said, 'It's so simple, go out there and lose, because then no one will watch you.' From then on, he never had a problem with it again," he said.

Javier Mendez explains a conversation that changed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s outlook on interviews

"I told Khabib back in 2017, before he was a champion, he was doing a lot of interviews. He was getting really tired, and I said to him, 'What's going on?' And he said, 'Oh coach,… pic.twitter.com/A2S852nzB9

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) September 8, 2025

While his father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was his main leader in his trajectory as an athlete during his childhood and adolescence, Khabib was shaped as an MMA fighter by Mendez, at the American Kickboxing Academy, located in San Jose, California.

Após esta conversa, o Águia se tornou campeão dos leves (até até 70,3 kg.) no ano seguinte, ao vencer Al Iaquinta no UFC na luta principal do UFC 223 por decisão unânime. Posteriormente, ele defendeu o título em três oportunidades e se aposentou em 2020, após a morte do pai durante a pandemia da Covid-19.

K. Nurmagomedov (left) and J. Mendez (right) in training. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @akajav