“People May Disagree With me”- Javier Mendez Makes a Statement on Conor McGregor

Many feel the toughest fight in the UFC Lightweight champion’s career is yet to come. However, Javier Mendez feels otherwise as he opens up about the same to Luke Thomas on his podcast.

Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje will be going toe-to-toe later this week to compete for the interim lightweight title. The winner of this fight, will establish himself as the number 2 in the division and potentially contend for the UFC Lightweight title against Khabib Nurmagomedov later this year.

However, the founder of the American Kickboxing Academy feels neither Gaethje nor Ferguson poses as big a threat to Khabib as his former opponent, Conor McGregor.

“It’s still Conor, even though people may disagree with me. I think Conor is the toughest fight to date. Conor was dangerous. Any time you let Conor unleash any striking he could put you out. You let Conor get in his groove, he would have done some amazing damage. He’s still one of the guys I would do more homework on,” admits Mendez as he proclaims Conor to be a bigger threat to Khabib compared to anyone else.

This is not the first time the Head Coach for Team AKA has hurled praises at the Irishman. While speaking with SportsDaily.ru, Javier Mendez said the same while talking about potential opponents for Khabib. He ranked Conor McGregor on the top, followed by Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier, and Max Holloway.

Javier Mendez on the UFC 249 Headliners Contending for the Title

The former kickboxing world champion is not trying to belittle Ferguson and Gaethje by placing Conor on top of his list. Mendez is well aware of the skills that both the fighters bring to the table. However, according to him, that just isn’t enough to dethrone the undefeated champion.

Mendez admits both, Ferguson and Gaethje, have a very distinct fighting style. Each fighter possesses a set of signature skills that Khabib should be wary of.

With El Cucuy being a rather instinctive and impulsive fighter, one tends to worry about his elbows and submissions. Tony bagged 10 career wins by way of submissions, out of a total of 26.

Ferguson’s endurance is another extremely worrisome weapon in his arsenal.  Mendez lauds Ferguson’s unrelenting drive to see the fight through to the end. And a fighter who does not have what it takes to go through 5 rounds against Tony, perishes, claims Mendez.

On the other hand, getting knocked out is a real concern while going up against Justin Gaethje, said Mendez. Gaethje has claimed an astonishing 18 career wins by way of KO/TKO, out of a total of 21 fights. It is no wonder Mendez fears the explosive power that Gaethje brings to the table.

However, all things considered, Mendez feels neither fighter has what it takes to knock Khabib Nurmagomedov’s crown off. Is Mendez biased or is he onto something? Only time will tell.

Do you think Ferguson or Gaethje can overthrow Khabib?