Conor is the toughest matchup for Khabib among top Lightweights: Javier Mendez

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez noted today during his interaction with Brett Okamoto of ESPN that Conor McGregor is the toughest challenge for Khabib when compared to the likes of Dustin Poirier, Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje.

Javier Mendez also opened up about the possibility of Khabib’s camp for the upcoming fight with Justin Gaethje and noted that it could happen outside the United States.

"We've got two choices [for the fight], right? Las Vegas or Fight Island [Yas Island, Abu Dhabi]. I'm thinking Fight Island, but they haven't said it yet. What I do know is that [COVID-19] is too high in California, and Khabib is not comfortable coming here to train,” Mendez told ESPN.

Khabib was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson earlier this year but the fight had to be called off due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The Russian was then met with a personal tragedy when his father passed away due to health complications. Mendez also addressed the same and added that Khabib wants to accomplish everything that his father had dreamt of.

"I did speak to him for the first time two weeks ago, and he's still going through missing his father. Rightfully so. The way they were connected, his father was pretty much his everything. Having his father's blessing gave him that power to go out and do what he needed to do. Everything his father wanted him to do, Khabib would go out and accomplish it. Now, he doesn't have that. So, he's gotta focus on the legacy his father wanted for him,” he said.

It was also noted that Khabib might only fight two more times and wrap up his career after reaching 30 fights.

Who do you think Khabib Nurmagomedov should fight after his showdown with Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comment section below.

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