Javier Mendez says a blemish on Jon Jones’ past eliminates him from the GOAT conversation.
Many see the previous UFC heavyweight and light-weight heavyweight champion because the leading name in relation to deciding who’s the best of all time in mixed martial arts.
In a recent Bloody Elbow poll as a part of TalkingPoints, fans voted for Jones because the GOAT over Georges St-Pierre, who got the higher of Khabib Nurmagomedov and Demetrious Johnson to secure second place.
Within the eyes of Mendez, though, third is 2 spots too low for Nurmagomedov, whom the renowned coach believes must be above ‘Bones’ because of a giant controversy.
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Khabib Nurmagomedov’s GOAT claim backed by coach Javier Mendez
Nurmagomedov retired after beating Justin Gaethje in 2020. The Dagestani ended his profession with an ideal 29-0 skilled record after three successful UFC lightweight title defenses.
Some imagine ‘The Eagle’ called it quits too soon to be considered a number one contender for GOAT status, but coach Mendez disagrees.
During an appearance on The Ahmad Mahmood Show, the American Kickboxing Academy trainer seemingly used Jones’ failed drug tests to disqualify him from the conversation and crown Nurmagomedov as the best.
“The GOAT for me is Khabib, and I might put Jon Jones in that category, but I can’t,” Mendez said.
“Should you’re caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing, how are you going to be considered at the highest of the league? This can be a true sport, and in a real sport you can’t put that person ahead.
“How many individuals have won Olympic gold medals after which they discover they cheated and got the medals taken away from them?”
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Khabib won’t go down as the best Nurmagomedov
While Mendez continues to plead his former student’s case because the MMA GOAT, each he and ‘The Eagle’ plan on pushing one other name into the controversy soon enough.
Usman Nurmagomedov choked out Alfie Davis finally Saturday’s PFL event in Dubai, marking his first defense of the promotion’s lightweight title.
Speaking ahead of the event, Khabib revealed he’s planning GOAT status for his cousin down the road.
“Our goal is to make him best fighter, (pound-for-pound) fighter, and best to ever do that,” the previous UFC champion explained.
“Me and Coach Jav, and when my father was alive, he was working very hard and he believed he may very well be best to ever do that.
“Now me and Coach Jav work morning and night to not make him not just champion who can defend title six times, our goal is to make him best fighter pound-for-pound and best to do that of all time. He has very big potential for this,” he added.