UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that the coronavirus has impacted his family in a big way, including the virus being responsible for his father’s condition.
Late last week, it was reported that Khabib’s father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, woke up from a medically induced coma after complications from pneumonia led to heart surgery. But according to Khabib, the heart surgery was the result of complications due to COVID-19, and Abdulmanap remains “in bad condition.”
Khabib provided the update on his father Monday in Russian during an Instagram video in which he urges the Dagestani people to stay home as the pandemic continues to grow.
“More than 20 of my close relatives have suffered (from) COVID-19 and also had to stay in intensive care. Some of them are not with us anymore,” Khabib said, as translated to MMA Junkie by two sources. “As for my father, there’s been so much support, and people kept asking about my father.
“My father is still at the hospital. He’s still going through this disease. He also had a heart complication due to COVID-19. Abdulmanap had surgery for his heart last year and also had the second one these days [sic], so he is still in bad condition. That’s all I can say.
“I want to thank all the people for your support, wishes and your prayers. I also wish all the best. Be safe and healthy. Thank you very much.”
Khabib’s fighting career has been upended by the coronavirus pandemic. He was supposed to defend his title against Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 originally scheduled for April 18 in New York, but the event was put in limbo as bans on mass gatherings began to be enforced throughout the U.S.
As a result, Khabib flew back home to the Russian republic of Dagestan to be with his family. Shortly after, Russia issued a ban on travel, meaning Khabib vs. Ferguson was canceled for a fifth time. UFC 249 eventually took place May 9 in Jacksonville, Fla., where Justin Gaethje replaced Khabib and defeated Ferguson for the interim lightweight title.
A unification bout is expected between Khabib and Gaethje. UFC president Dana White recently said the target date is sometime in September, perhaps on the UFC’s “Fight Island.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov says COVID-19 behind father's health crisis, urges people to stay home