Javier Mendez thinks there is a stain on Jon Jones’ record that keeps him out of the GOAT conversation.
The former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion is widely seen as one of the best fighters ever, and many consider him the top name in mixed martial arts history.
For instance, in a recent Bloody Elbow TalkingPoints poll, fans crowned ‘Bones’ as the GOAT. Georges St-Pierre took second place after outpolling both Khabib Nurmagomedov and Demetrious Johnson.
But according to Mendez, Khabib should be ranked higher than third. He believes that controversy surrounding Jones should push the Dagestani above him.
Javier Mendez backs Khabib Nurmagomedov as MMA’s greatest
Khabib wrapped up his career after submitting Justin Gaethje in 2020, walking away with a flawless 29-0 record and three successful lightweight title defences.
Some feel that Nurmagomedov did not stick around long enough to be part of the GOAT debate, but coach Mendez sees it differently.
During a recent appearance on The Ahmad Mahmood Show, the longtime American Kickboxing Academy coach pointed to Jones’ past drug test failures as a clear reason why he believes Khabib holds the edge in the GOAT discussion.
He said: “The GOAT for me is Khabib, and I would put Jon Jones in that category, but I can’t.
“If you’re caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing, how can you be considered at the top of the league? This is a true sport, and in a true sport you cannot put that person ahead.
“How many people have won Olympic gold medals and then they find out they cheated and got the medals taken away from them?”
Why Khabib might not be the greatest Nurmagomedov
While Mendez has never been shy about backing Khabib’s claim as the GOAT, both he and his former student might soon be shifting focus to another member of the Nurmagomedov family.
Last Saturday in Dubai, Usman Nurmagomedov defended his PFL lightweight title by submitting Alfie Davis, continuing to build his own reputation in the sport.
Khabib spoke ahead of the fight about his belief that Usman could eventually surpass him and achieve GOAT status.
“Our goal is to make him best fighter, (pound-for-pound) fighter, and best to ever do this,” said Khabib.
“Me and Coach Jav, and when my father was alive, he was working very hard and he believed he could be best to ever do this.
“Now me and Coach Jav work morning and night not to make him not just champion who can defend title six times, our goal is to make him best fighter pound-for-pound and best to do this of all time. He has very big potential for this,” he concluded.
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