'I could’ve got shot for the color of my bandana' - Javier Mendez on his early life & fighting days

One of the most decorated coaches in MMA, the founder of the legendary AKA… But what do you know about Javier Mendez as a kid? As a young Mexican in a dangerous neighborhood? As an up-and-coming fighter? This is probably the first time coach Javier got that deep into his early life and long combat sports journey. We present you the first episode of the Red Corner Talk podcast. Enjoy!
00:00 Intro
00:37 Who was 'The Thunder'?
01:52 Javier's hardest kickboxing fight
05:32 Scott Coker's role in Javier's career
13:44 'I pooped my pants'
14:55 Wetback
15:54 Street gangs
17:54 AKA's famous logo
19:32 Luke Rockhold, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez
20:15 Father's plan dynasty
21:42 Dagestan village named after Abdulmanap
22:21 Khabib Nurmagomedov's first day in AKA
24:45 King Mo bringing Khabib to AKA
27:21 Islam Makhachev winning rounds against Khabib
28:21 Usman and Umar Nurmagomedov
28:53 Umar Nurmagomedov's last fight before UFC
30:07 Javier's popularity in Russia and Middle East
31:35 Opening of Abdulmanap's gym
32:18 Respected as a coach in Dagestan
33:40 Coaching the best grapplers as a kickboxer
34:58 Javier assesses his MMA potential
36:04 Coach Bryan 'The Fury' Johnston
36:37 Early UFC days
39:03 Cain Velasquez
43:06 Daniel Cormier
44:38 Bareknuckle & Mike Perry
45:56 Questions from followers
50:40 Does Islam spar with Usman Nurmagomedov?
50:55 Sharaputdin Magomedov (Shara Bullet)
52:42 Life lessons

[@safira2104]

Nice to hear about the life of coach javier

[@TenmaKenzo-to1so]

The only complaint I have about this interview is that I didn't want it to end.

[@FreemanWelterweight]

Just finished the whole interview, great job guys! The questions were interesting, it's the first time I hear coach Mendez talk so much about his life.

[@shewhodoesntexist1825]

Thank you, Red Corner MMA for featuring my questions 🥰

[@RedCorner_MMA]

Thanks for following us 🙌

[@Naksu..]

We love you coach 🤫

[@demonbell8258]

Awesome interview 🙏

[@Round149]

The last part on his dad 🙏

[@sanjardjuraev]

I remember you were in my country (Uzbekistan) you liked the food a lot🇺🇿💪 It was cool to see your photos in Instagram

[@pamsfluffyhat]

This was so nice thanks!

[@johnswiatkowski244]

Great coach great person much respect keep up great work

[@sarak4217]

Fascinating to listen to coach about his life

[@RedCorner_MMA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ytuser6091]

Nice interview 👏

[@data1333]

I'm Indian.... Red corner MMA if you seen this Comment section please tell or send Javier Mendez this message " Huge respect and Javier is the best coach love from 🇮🇳" Great podcast by Red corner MMA

[@theviolentone]

Javier - the architect behind the great fighters

[@hur_ra492]

Fantastic interview

[@orionpacks]

What a man javier is 👏👏👏

[@zephyrcarlos4481]

Great interview

[@zohebrahman3335]

Best coach ever 🐐

[@eggm0ney]

Greatest Head Coach of all time!

[@mariumrajah]

✊👌👍🫡🇵🇰

[@dsrassdsssrdsrdsrdsmartine2784]

Best “ Coach “ in the world , Lori said hi and you need to come back , she misses you “ Coach”🥊💯

[@pedroramos8758]

fathers plan what a unbeleviable powerful statement godbless coach java

[@shewhodoesntexist1825]

Coach Jav used to have 3 ufc champs, and now coach currently has 3 lightweight champs: Islam (ufc) Usman (Bellator) Amru (UAE Warriors)

[@MyLeeoon]

Javier's attitude is wonderful.

[@Zinc-lk7cd]

Ggood to hear from coach Mendez

[@shewhodoesntexist1825]

1:30 coach Javier's Spiderman moment 😂

[@FreemanWelterweight]

The wrong nickname in the amateur fight reminds me of the first Spiderman movie lol

[@psychopathichomosapien]

nice reference lol

[@cynthiafalconi9944]

Kevin Falconi!! That’s the next upcoming mma fighter 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@carlosmiguel-bq3ov]

I love that guy

[@lebraa]

Coach Hav. Thanks for helping our brother Habib. And br islam. May peace be upon you coach.

[@metalheadcrdread8203]

pretty cool man we got here he is the real mexican gangster :D

[@bisonmma-kickboxing2511]

Javier Mendez a real Chicano

[@baron4486]

Shit i tought it was kung lee for a second.

[@liarfinder]

Mentioning how impressive Khamzat was controlling Usman is what is always diminished in the discourse surrounding that fight. Islam being a technical striker with his wrestling will be a problem for Justin.

[@mariumrajah]

One of the most recognised Coach in the world 🌎 No doubt True gangster !!! 🫡

[@violetrose6014]

"Khabib s coach "

[@CombatSports01]

15:45

[@manelisilumbe7268]

Ended too soon...

[@bossmanali]

Awesome interview 👏

[@apenguincannotfly]

Best MMA coach in history!

[@The-Music-Archive]

Mendez crew for life nikka oo ee