Javier Mendez Surprised by Merab Dvalishvili’s Cardio in UFC 311 Co-Main Event

Javier Mendez couldn’t believe the pace Merab Dvalishvili set at UFC 311.

Mendez’s pupil, Umar Nurmagomedov, challenged Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event at UFC 311. Dvalishvili’s coach, John Wood, predicted that the champ would have a hard couple of rounds and take over as the fight progressed. It played out exactly like that, with Nurmagomedov just being unable to keep pace with the champ despite being highly skilled. Dvalishvili took away Nurmagomedov’s perfect record and defended his title with a unanimous decision win.

While Nurmagomedov also broke his hand in the opening round, Mendez isn’t taking anything away from Dvalishvili. The American Kickboxing Academy head coach was awed by Dvalishvili’s gas tank as the fight progressed. However, Mendez also notes that “The Machine’s” showmanship in the last round could have slightly influenced the judges’ scorecards.

“He [Nurmagomedov] didn’t get to perform with a broken hand. With a broken hand and a great champion on the other end — with unbelievable cardio that I have never ever seen in my life,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “I have never seen anybody with that kind of cardio, take shots the way he did and keep getting stronger as the rounds went on. I am like, ‘What am I looking at?’ And a showman. Because in the fifth round I thought we were ahead points wise. But he showed himself like the champ. He acted like the champ while Umar was struggling even to get up.”

Mendez also revealed that Nurmagomedov didn’t inform his corner about the broken hand. Mendez says he would have changed his game plan to a more kick-heavy approach if he knew about the injury.