Despite being COVID-19-free, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is still in intensive care, says his son, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Every day, Khabib visits Abdulmanap, who remains hooked up to machines and cannot verbalize. In a recent interview with Channel One Russia, the younger Nurmagomedov gave an update on his father’s health (translation via TASS reporter Igor Lazorin, edited for grammar).
“Now father’s condition is still serious. He is in intensive care,” Nurmagomedov said. “The coronavirus is gone, but the infection has left consequences on the kidneys and on the heart. Now, (the) virus (is) gone. I come to (the) hospital. He recognizes me, but there is no (verbal) communication, because he is under the hospital devices. Every day, I visit him for half an hour, hold his hand, talk, he gestures to understand that he recognizes me.”
Even though Abdulmanap’s condition is serious, Khabib says he’s confident the doctor’s care will nurse his father back to health through a challenging rehabilitation program.
“I am sure of the doctors, they are one of the best in the world, I have no doubt,” Khabib said. “Thanks so much for everything they do. In this regard, everything is very good. It just takes time, because the consequences are very difficult and the rehabilitation period will be difficult and long.”
While the elder Nurmagomedov, 57, begins his road to recovery, Khabib is beginning preparations for his octagon return. September is less than three months away. That’s when Nurmagomedov is expected to defend his UFC lightweight title against Justin Gaethje. He continues to train because it’s what his father (and lifelong coach) wants.
“I prepare, train every day because I know that my father would like me to be in good shape,” Khabib said. “My father would definitely not like that because of him I miss training, of which I am sure. Training helps me relieve stress (and) distract from everything. We’ll go back in the autumn and defend our title.”
Abdulmanap was first hospitalized in Dagestan in late April after experiencing what was, at the time, believed to be pneumonia. He was later transferred to the military hospital in Moscow once his condition worsened.
In mid-May, it was reported Nurmagomedov woke up from a medically induced coma after complications from pneumonia led to heart surgery at a military hospital in Moscow.
Days later, Russian media outlet RT reported that Abdulmanap was again in a coma and on life support. He was being treated after undergoing a heart bypass operation, according to the report.
On June 9, Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, revealed Abdulmanap had opened his eyes and was responding, which was the last update before Monday’s news.
Khabib Nurmagomedov gives update: Father COVID-free, but 'condition is still serious'