Javier Mendez spots Umar Nurmagomedov’s crucial mistake in KO loss
· Yahoo Sports
Javier Mendez was left stunned by Yadong
Song’s knockout victory against Umar
Nurmagomedov in their recent
Ultimate Fighting Championship main event clash.
Mendez, who wasn’t in Nurmagomedov's corner at UFC Shanghai, revealed his immediate reaction to the finish. The veteran coach also pointed out his pupil’s error before reiterating his stance that the Dagestani bantamweight will eventually claim UFC gold.
Mendez was shocked by Song’s uppercut knockout, opening up about his raw reaction to the finish in an interview with Submission Radio.
“When it happened, my mouth just dropped,” Mendez said. “I'm like, ‘What the hell happened?’ And I was in shock myself because I love him so much.”
The American Kickboxing Academy head coach then broke down what led to the finish, claiming that Nurmagomedov's head placement was incorrect as he shot for a takedown.
“What happened was just one of those things,” Mendez explained. “Song meant to throw that uppercut, Umar did the wrong thing when he went in for the takedown and moved his head off center, and it just caught him in the right spot in the equilibrium right back here. You get caught in the spot right there; it's instant lights out.”
The loss marked Nurmagomedov's second professional defeat and first via knockout. Nevertheless, Mendez remains confident the Russian will win the title someday, citing how close he came against Merab Dvalishvili last year.
"In my heart, I believe 100% [that Nurmagomedov can become champion]," Mendez said. "And unfortunately, the first time with Merab, which was a great fight, came down to the last round and Merab pulled it off by being great at doing what he's doing: being more active. Umar didn't quite do what he needed to do.”
Mendez, who wasn’t in Nurmagomedov's corner at UFC Shanghai, revealed his immediate reaction to the finish. The veteran coach also pointed out his pupil’s error before reiterating his stance that the Dagestani bantamweight will eventually claim UFC gold.
Javier Mendez explains the takedown error that left Umar Nurmagomedov vulnerable to Song Yadong
Mendez was shocked by Song’s uppercut knockout, opening up about his raw reaction to the finish in an interview with Submission Radio.
“When it happened, my mouth just dropped,” Mendez said. “I'm like, ‘What the hell happened?’ And I was in shock myself because I love him so much.”
The American Kickboxing Academy head coach then broke down what led to the finish, claiming that Nurmagomedov's head placement was incorrect as he shot for a takedown.
“What happened was just one of those things,” Mendez explained. “Song meant to throw that uppercut, Umar did the wrong thing when he went in for the takedown and moved his head off center, and it just caught him in the right spot in the equilibrium right back here. You get caught in the spot right there; it's instant lights out.”
The loss marked Nurmagomedov's second professional defeat and first via knockout. Nevertheless, Mendez remains confident the Russian will win the title someday, citing how close he came against Merab Dvalishvili last year.
"In my heart, I believe 100% [that Nurmagomedov can become champion]," Mendez said. "And unfortunately, the first time with Merab, which was a great fight, came down to the last round and Merab pulled it off by being great at doing what he's doing: being more active. Umar didn't quite do what he needed to do.”
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