Josh Koscheck explains split from American Kickboxing Academy

Josh Koscheck has revealed the reason for his decision to part ways with the American Kickboxing Academy gym in San Jose, California, as it appears founder Javier Mendez is surprisingly the primary reason.

This past weekend, Koscheck defeated Mike Pierce in one of the highlighted bouts at UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit. At the post-fight press conference Koscheck announced he would no longer be training at AKA to the shock of many in attendance. Instead, Koscheck will be working out at his own gym in Fresno, California, but said he plans on bringing several fighters from AKA to the gym in preparation of upcoming fights.

As far as leaving AKA, Koscheck explained, “There’s one reason I’m leaving San Jose AKA and that’s because of Javier Mendez,” said Koscheck, in a recent interview with MMAWeekly. “He’s the only reason I’m leaving the gym.”

Koscheck went on to talk about interviews he had read following losses by AKA fighters where Mendez blamed them for not following the game plan and losing the fight, adding, “I started to notice after all my teammates lost, it was the same thing; they didn’t listen to the game plan, that he deferred it away from himself, and he threw us under the bus.”

Koscheck also mentioned any hopes of a meeting with Jon Fitch will not happen, as the two remain friends and will train together at Koscheck’s gym. The 34-year old’s departure marks the second big name leaving the gym in recent months as Dave Camarillo has also separated from the training center, starting his own gym instead.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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MMATraining Take: It would seem the added pressure of handling the Mendez situation did cause problems for Koscheck against Pierce. He didn’t look like himself at all inside the Octagon, and I would think being clear of this situation should allow us to see the old “Kos” next time he fights.