Khabib’s former coach: Islam Makhachev is ”No. 1 of all time”

Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Photo: Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports and Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

In just a few week, Islam Makhachev will headline UFC 280 in a lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez, who also trained former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, claimed that Makhachev is even better than Nurmagomedov.

“You don’t know what you’re dealing with until you’re dealing with him,” Mendez said. “That’s what everybody that’s dealt with Islam, they thought they could do better, until they get in there and they didn’t. He is so well-rounded. I am going on record saying as the lightweight, he is hands down the No. 1 of all time, best in all areas.”

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Islam Makhachev the best all-around athlete?

When the coach is breaking down all skills, he sees Islam Makhachev as superior to everyone that competed in the stacked division.

”No. 1 of all time, Islam Makhachev. Best defense, best striking, best everywhere. The best all-around athlete. Way, way back in the day I thought it was Frank Shamrock that was the best well-rounded athlete, and he was in all divisions. But in the lightweight division, for me, the person that’s the best-rounded in every single area is Islam Makhachev.”

However, one thinks Makhachev is over-hyped is top ranked lightweight Michael Chandler.

“Nothing against Islam, you say he looks great, you say he looks unbeatable at times, but he hasn’t really fought anybody,” Chandler recently told MMA Fightning.

Read more: Double champ on hyped UFC newcomer: “Easily taking down Khamzat”

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