BT Sport has released a touching, teary-eyed tribute to UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s late father.
Nurmagomedov’s father Abdulmanap, who helped train and build the careers of a host of Dagestani fighters, passed away in July due to complications arising from COVID-19.
During Khabib’s fighting career, Abdulmanap had issues obtaining a visa to the U.S. but was finally able to corner his son for the first time in the UFC last September, when Nurmagomedov submitted Dustin Poirier at UFC 242.
Ahead of Nurmagomedov’s title defense against Justin Gaethje (22-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 254 on Saturday, BT Sport put together an animated short story describing the relationship between Nurmagomedov (28-0 MMA, 12-0 UFC) and his father, who had aspirations of his son hitting the 30-0 mark as a professional fighter.
Check out the emotional tribute in the video below.
From the mountains of Dagestan to UFC champion.
Whether in spirit, or in person, Abdulmanap was in Khabib’s corner every step of the way.
“Father’s plan” is not finished just yet. The job is not quite done…#UFC254 pic.twitter.com/iAGJJmrtXl
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) October 18, 2020
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Watch BT Sport’s incredible tribute to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father ahead of UFC 254
