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Islam Makhachev's Coach Reveals Preference For Future UFC Title Fight

Makhachev's coach reveals the one fight he wants.

Fernando Quiles Jr.

Islam Makhachev's Coach Reveals Preference For Future UFC Title Fight
Islam Makhachev's Coach Reveals Preference For Future UFC Title Fight /

Renowned American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez knows who he'd like to see Islam Makhachev fight after UFC 294.

Makhachev is scheduled to put his UFC lightweight title at stake against Charles Oliveira in a rematch. The two will meet a second time on October 21 in Abu Dhabi. In their first encounter, Makhachev scored a second-round submission win to capture the UFC lightweight gold.

Islam Makhachev in action against Charles Oliveira for their UFC 280 championship fight.
(via Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports)

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Mendez serves as Makhachev's coach and he recently appeared on Submission Radio. During the show, Mendez revealed who he wants Islam Makhachev to fight if he makes it 2-0 against Oliveira.

"I'd want Alex [Volkanovski]," Mendez said. "Yeah, I would, I'd want Alex."

Mendez went on to explain why he prefers the Alexander Volkanovski rematch over a bout with the newly-minted BMF titleholder Justin Gaethje.

"Well, because there's still unfinished business with Alex in my mind. There's still unfinished business. There's no clarity. In our eyes, it was clear, but there's just too much uncertainty. On top of that, I hate to say it but that fight delivered. It was supposed to be one of the great fights between two greats, and it turned out to be exactly that. Two champions got in there and it was a championship caliber fight. There's still undecidedness on the other side. I wanna prove that we are the better fighter."

Volkanovski successfully retained the UFC Featherweight Championship last month. He turned in a dominant performance over former interim titleholder Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski won the fight via third-round TKO.

Whether or not we'll see Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 down the line remains to be seen.

If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.

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Fernando Quiles Jr.
FERNANDO QUILES JR.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.

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