- Coach Javier Mendez revealed that they will remind Islam Makhachev to avoid getting caught by Alexander Volkanovski
- Mendez thinks a short notice bout is even better for a fighter like “The Great”
Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez is confident that his pupil is coming in at UFC 294 better than he was when he first fought Alexander Volkanovski. On the other hand, Mendez emphasized the need for caution, acknowledging that “The Great” had the potential to land a powerful blow.
One shot could make the difference
Speaking on his podcast, Mendez reiterated that he expects Volk to be aggressive from start to finish. Knowing what Makhachev could do, Mendez said it is not Volkanovski’s pace and pressure that they are concerned about. Instead, it’s “getting caught” with that one power shot that the featherweight champion is highly capable of.
“He’s better than he was last time, he’s better, his techniques are better, so attitude’s the same, technically it’s the same,” Mendez said of Islam. “The only issue is going to come down to one thing in my opinion, can Alex catch him? It’s possible… anybody can get caught so that’s the issue. Can we avoid getting caught?”
“Alex is going to try like crazy trust me,” he speculated. “If I’m in his corner, I’m telling you, ‘Keep coming’ but the problem is Islam is a sniper too. So yeah you make mistakes you know, you get sniped so all of a sudden you’re like, ‘I’m just going to come in’ well yeah you just come in, you get nailed, so it’s not as easy as that but my advice would be just go in… keep putting pressure, put pressure, because I mean he’s got incredible cardio.”
Sometimes short notice is better
Mendez also doesn’t acknowledge the notion that Volkanovski has a disadvantage due to the short notice. According to the coach, “sometimes” it’s better to fight right away than get worn out in a full training camp.
“If you’re in great shape like him [Volkanovski], he’s always in shape in and out and mentally has nothing to lose you know sometimes just coming in fresh like he’s doing is better than going into a two-month camp where you’re all beat up you know. Sometimes. Sometimes,” Mendez pointed out.
UFC 294 is finally happening this weekend. Ahead of the rematch, Makhachev already confirmed that he would also ask the UFC to give him a shot at becoming a two-division champion.
Check out Mendez’s full video below:
