Javier Mendez was left stunned by Yadong
Song’s knockout victory against Umar
Nurmagomedov in their recent
Ultimate Fighting Championship main event clash.
Mendez, who wasn’t in Nurmagomedov’s corner at
UFC Shanghai, revealed his immediate reaction to the finish.
The veteran coach also pointed out his pupil’s error before
reiterating his stance that the Dagestani bantamweight will
eventually claim UFC gold.
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Javier Mendez explains the takedown error that left Umar
Nurmagomedov vulnerable to Song Yadong
Mendez was shocked by Song’s uppercut knockout, opening up about
his raw reaction to the finish in an interview with Submission
Radio.
“When it happened, my mouth just dropped,” Mendez said. “I’m like,
‘What the hell happened?’ And I was in shock myself because I love
him so much.”
The
American Kickboxing Academy head coach then broke down what led
to the finish, claiming that Nurmagomedov’s head placement was
incorrect as he shot for a takedown.
“What happened was just one of those things,” Mendez explained.
“Song meant to throw that uppercut, Umar did the wrong thing when
he went in for the takedown and moved his head off center, and it
just caught him in the right spot in the equilibrium right back
here. You get caught in the spot right there; it’s instant lights
out.”
The loss marked Nurmagomedov’s second professional defeat and first
via knockout. Nevertheless, Mendez remains confident the Russian
will win the title someday, citing how close he came against
Merab
Dvalishvili last year.
„In my heart, I believe 100% [that Nurmagomedov can become
champion],“ Mendez said. „And unfortunately, the first time with
Merab, which was a great fight, came down to the last round and
Merab pulled it off by being great at doing what he’s doing: being
more active. Umar didn’t quite do what he needed to do.”