Khabib Holding Annual Tourney To Honor Late Father

Photo by Press Office of Dagestan’s Head TASS via Getty Images

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will hold an annual mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament to honor his late father, Abdulmanap, starting this Weds. at Irina Viner-Usmanova Gymnastics Palace in Moscow, Russia.

Khabib’s cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov, is scheduled to compete.

“This tournament will be annual, we have already planned it,” Nurmagomedov told Match TV (via RT Sport). “Only the date will change. So every year at the end of summer or at the beginning of fall we will have this event every year. Other than that, there were no problems with the organization. The fighters wanted to fight, and promoters also were also interested in making the event. Most likely due to the fact that many events have been canceled because of coronavirus pandemic.”

Vladimir Mineev vs. Dauren Ermekov will headline the event.

Abdulmanap, 57, died from COVID-19 complications earlier this year. In addition to son Khabib, Abdulmanap was also head trainer for Islam Makhachev and UFC newcomer Umar Nurmagomedov, among others.

“The Eagle” is expected to defend his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in the UFC 254 pay-per-view (PPV) main event this October in Abu Dhabi.