UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov breaks his silence about his father’s current condition, confirming he is currently battling the deadly coronavirus disease.
Last week, multiple reports from Russian media outlets claimed that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov has been placed in coma as he suffered complications from pneumonia.
“Abdulmanap is in a bad condition, he’s in Moscow and in a coma. They didn’t treat him properly in Dagestan, and some complications arose. They flew him to Moscow, where he is now in a military hospital. He’s on his own there, they won’t allow family (to visit),” the Russia Today wrote in a report.
The news came a month after Khabib’s friend Ramazan Rabadanov reported that Abdulmanap was hospitalized due to pneumonia and influenza, saying “While coronavirus is not confirmed. They say the flu. No one is allowed to visit him. The world champion Shamil Zavurov also fell ill. They say there are other sick athletes.”
https://twitter.com/mma_oth/status/1260651713003876360
Hard Time
Speaking for the first time about the issue, the undefeated lightweight titlist confirmed in an emotional Instagram post that his father is in critical condition after undergoing heart surgery due to COVID-19 complications while some other family members have also tested positive for the virus.
“In my personal case, I’ve had more than 20 people sick from my family,” Nurmagomedov said in the video (translations courtesy of ESPN).
“More than 20 people were lying in the ICUs. And many of them are no longer among us. Many acquaintances have died, many parents of my relatives. Everybody is having a hard time dealing with it.”
“There is a lot written on the internet about my father. My father, right now, is located in a hospital. He is in critical condition as a result of this virus.”
“It impacted his heart because last year he had a surgery there, and right now, they did another surgery. He is in a very difficult situation, very difficult. We are asking Allah that he returns him to us.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says his father is in critical condition with the coronavirus. https://t.co/UwG6FDtGfx
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 19, 2020
September Return
The 57-year old coach is one of the architects of Khabib’s perfect 28-0 record including three straight victories in the UFC for the lightweight title.
His most recent outing was against Dustin Poirier in a unification bout at UFC 242, where he submitted ‘The Diamond’ from Louisiana in the third round.
UFC president Dana White recently said Khabib is likely set for a September return to unify the lightweight titles with newly crowned interm champion, Justin Gaethje.
UFC President Dana White now says that Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje is targeted for September with bout agreements about to go out.https://t.co/Sm9qjnqYk0
— MMAWeekly (@MMAWeeklycom) May 14, 2020
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Khabib and Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov)