Javier Mendez not considering Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: 'He doesn't must struggle him'

Javier Mendez thinks Ilia Topuria must pump the brakes on his push to get a light-weight title shot towards Islam Makhachev.

Mendez, head coach of Makhachev and different notable fighters at American Kickboxing Academy, heard of Topuria’s request to struggle Makhachev however was not within the concept. Mendez believes there are larger challenges in the mean time aside from the UFC featherweight champion.

“You recognize what, for me, if Islam had been to do one other champ vs. champ struggle, it’s higher for him to go up in weight,” Mendez instructed MMA Junkie in Spanish. “If we had the selection, if UFC instructed us we might struggle with the UFC welterweight champion or Topuria, we’d select welterweight. That’s what I would like. I’m assured that that’s what Islam desires, too.”

Mendez has respect for Topuria and his physique of labor however pays little thoughts to his feedback. On the finish of the day, it’s the promotion that decides what’s subsequent for each fighters and never Topuria.

“(Ilia) is a good fighter, and he’s been doing nicely, however he (Makhachev) doesn’t must struggle him,” Mendez stated. “That’s my opinion. I believe Tsarukyan is a better option. That’s what I believe. Ilia must do extra in his weight class. He desires to go up in weight and problem for a second belt, however we wish to do the identical. And what occurred? The UFC didn’t allow us to. We wished to, however they instructed us to defend. What UFC tells us to do, that’s what we’ve got to do. It doesn’t matter what you say, what we are saying, what Ilia says. What issues is what the UFC desires.

“The UFC simply comes as much as you and affords you a struggle, and also you get to say sure or no. They’re not going to have you ever selecting your fights. Possibly there’s an opportunity they try this a little bit, however solely folks like Conor McGregor and Khabib if he had been nonetheless combating due to what they draw.”

Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) defends his light-weight belt towards Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA, 22-7 UFC) this Saturday in the principle occasion of UFC 302, which takes place at Prudential Middle in Newark, N.J.

Like Makhachev, Mendez suggests Topuria ought to defend his belt first towards somebody in his weight class – beginning with whom many imagine to be the best UFC featherweight champion.

“Have a look at all of the title defenses Alexander Volkanovski needed to do at featherweight,” Mendez stated. “He’s the No. 1 at featherweight, so why not give him a rematch? He ought to get a rematch from every little thing he’s achieved. And look, Ilia is even saying he desires to struggle Conor McGregor, however Alexander Volkanosvki desires the struggle once more and is prepared to go to Spain to struggle you. So hey, give the person what he deserves. What number of occasions did he defend the featherweight title? He wants the rematch.”

For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 302.