Khabib’s Victory Over Poirier: Coach Reveals Preparation Details at UFC 242

Javier Mendez, the coach of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has provided insights into Khabib’s contest against Dustin Poirier, with exclusive behind-the-scenes information, according to various reports.

Nurmagomedov, widely regarded as one of the best MMA athletes ever, retired in 2020 after a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. He concluded his career with a remarkable 29-0 record, solidifying his status as a dominant force.

During his second lightweight title defense at UFC 242, Nurmagomedov faced Poirier, ultimately defeating him by submission in the third round.

During the fight, Poirier managed to lock Khabib in a tight guillotine choke.

In a recent podcast, Coach Mendez mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about ‘The Eagle’ being submitted. He said that Khabib had practiced with Islam Makhachev to defend against that particular move prior to the UFC 242 fight.

Mendez explained:

“Believe it or not, in the backroom, [Khabib Nurmagomedov] was training with Islam [Makhachev]. He was deliberately putting himself in that position because they knew Khabib is difficult to choke, to the point where he would even exhaust his opponent’s arms.”

“So, the mindset was, if [Poirier] manages to get us there, it’s not a major issue. Even when it occurred, his father and I exchanged a look and started laughing.”

The fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 followed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s significant victory against Conor McGregor, where ‘The Eagle’ won through submission. At the time, Poirier held the interim lightweight title and sought to unify the championship.