Who Is Javier Mendez (mixed martial arts trainer)? Age, Biography and Wiki
Javier Mendez was born on September 18, 1970, making him 54 years old as of 2025. He is an American mixed martial arts trainer with a distinguished reputation in the sport. Mendez is best known for his role as the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), where he has trained world-class fighters, including many champions across different organizations. His dedication to martial arts began in his youth, evolving into a lifelong career that has significantly influenced the sport.
| Occupation | Kickboxer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 18, 1970 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Mexico |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Mexico |
Popularity
Javier Mendez (mixed martial arts trainer)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Javier Mendez stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs around 170 pounds. His athletic build and disciplined lifestyle are reflective of his background in martial arts. As a trainer, Mendez emphasizes fitness and proper body mechanics, both for himself and his students.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Javier Mendez appears to be private regarding his personal life and relationships. There are no public records indicating whether he is currently dating anyone or if he has a significant other. Mendez often focuses on his career and the fighters he coaches.
He was raised in San Jose, California and attended Andrew Hill High School. His father spent most of his money on alcohol and gambling and told Mendez that he would never amount to anything which gave Mendez motivation to achieve success. Like most of his peers of his generation, Mendez grew up admiring the late Bruce Lee.
Mendez started training in martial arts in 1978, studying the discipline of Tang Soo Do. From there, he went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do and trained under Scott Coker (former CEO of Strikeforce and former president of Bellator MMA).
Mendez started his kickboxing career in 1985 and shortly thereafter he established the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) where he held training sessions with a small group of students. After fighting his way through the kickboxing ranks, Mendez won his first world championship in 1992 when he became the ISKA Light-Cruiserweight Champion.
In 1995, Mendez defeated Conrad Pla (one of the founder of Tristar Gym) via split decision to win the vacant ISKA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Javier Mendez's estimated net worth is around $3 million. His income is derived primarily from his work as a mixed martial arts trainer, coaching fees, and various endorsements. Mendez's position in the industry has also led to involvement in seminars and instructional courses that contribute to his overall earnings.
Career, Business and Investments
Javier Mendez's career spans several decades, beginning as a practitioner of martial arts before transitioning to coaching. He has trained numerous fighters who have achieved championship status within the UFC and other promotions. Besides coaching, Mendez has also ventured into business, establishing the American Kickboxing Academy as a premier training facility.
With his extensive experience, Mendez has invested in various projects related to sports and martial arts, including training camps and promotional events. His contributions to the sport extend beyond the gym, focusing on the growth and evolution of mixed martial arts.
Javier Mendez (born September 18, 1970) is a Mexican-American mixed martial arts (MMA) coach and founder of the MMA gym American Kickboxing Academy (AKA). He’s a former 2 time ISKA kickboxing world champion with a kickboxing record of 23-2.
He is best known for being the coach and mentor to multiple MMA world champions, most famously Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, Luke Rockhold, Frank Shamrock, Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez.
Social Network
Javier Mendez maintains an active presence on social media platforms. He uses these channels to engage with fans, share insights from his training sessions, and promote his fighters. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are utilized to connect with the MMA community, where he shares training tips, highlights from fights, and updates on fighters he mentors.
In 1996, Mendez became exposed to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), when local UFC fighter Brian Johnston sought out Mendez to help him improve his kickboxing ability. That exposure led other fighters like to seek out Mendez as he rode the wave of MMA's growing popularity.
Going forward Mendez stopped competing professionally as a fighter to become a full-time MMA coach. Mendez would train his first UFC champion in 1997, when Frank Shamrock joined AKA. Mendez would be his trainer until 2003 where during that period Shamrock became the first UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and had remained undefeated.
Education
Javier Mendez's formal education background is not extensively documented; however, his knowledge in mixed martial arts comes from years of both practice and teaching. His experience and commitment to mastering the sport serve as his most significant educational assets.
