Javier Mendez, founder of AKA gym and coach of UFC fighter Umar Nurmagomedov, in an exclusive interview with Telecomasia.net named the toughest fight for the Russian in the lightweight division and evaluated his title prospects.
I think the toughest fight for Umar will be Merab Dvalishvili. But I believe that no one can beat this young eagle. People don't realize that yet. But when they fight him, they start saying, "Where am I?" He's very precise, he's strong, he knows how to fight. I don't even have to improve his mentality. I don't have to tweak anything about him, I can just bring him to the fight and let him fight.
"I guarantee he's the next best guy in his division to win a title. I hope it happens in Abu Dhabi. I want Umar to fight Sean O'Malley in Abu Dhabi. That fight would be the greatest," Mendez said.
Nurmagomedov, 27, last fought against Raoni Barcelos in January 2023 at UFC Fight Night 217. That fight, which was stopped in the first round, ended in favor of Umar by knockout. He has 16 wins and no losses on his record.
