Javier Mendez downplays Max Holloway's threat to Islam Makhachev in potential fight - "Though he's proven us wrong"

Legendary MMA coach and founder of the renowned American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) Javier Mendez recently chimed in on the possible match-up between Islam Makhachev and Max Halloway.

As of this writing, Islam Makhachev is scheduled to defend his UFC lightweight world title against Dustin 'The Diamond' Poirier at UFC 302 on June 1. As for Halloway, a bout with newly crowned UFC featherweight king Ilia Topuria is seriously being considered after the Hawaiian's reality-breaking KO of Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 last month.

Javier Mendez, who is Makhachev's main coach at AKA, addressed the threat of 'Blessed', despite both men having their own upcoming battles to worry about.

The Mexican-American trainer said in an interview with Championship Rounds:

"It really comes down to strategy and gameplan. Islam Makhachev is not gonna stand with Max [Holloway] the whole five rounds. He's gonna take him down. He's gonna work him on the ground."

He continued:

"It'll be a grueling situation for Max, not as much for Islam because Max doesn't really have great wrestling defense, nor does he care to have it...I don't look at [Max] as a huge threat, though he's proven us wrong."

Here's a clip from the interview:

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Islam Makhachev vs Max Holloway has potential for historic "champion vs champion" bout

If and when Makhachev and Holloway come out victorious in their upcoming world title bouts, the path would easily be laid for a potential champion vs champion bout for the ages.

There's only been eight such match-ups in the UFC's long and storied history. Given the star power of both men and the stories that led to this potential clash, one can easily say that this might be the biggest one yet.

Max Holloway is one of the most beloved "blood-and-guts" fighters in the UFC, having been part of some of the greatest bouts in the promotion's history. Debuting in the UFC way back in 2012, "Blessed" has won the UFC featherweight world title and defended it three times. His most recent accolade is the UFC BMF belt which he won by sending the aforementioned Gaethje to the negative zone last month.

As for Islam Makhachev, he's successfully left his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov's shadow by defending his belt in back-to-back victories over former UFC featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski.