Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has died at the age of 57 due to complications caused by coronavirus.
The news was confirmed by Ali Abdelaziz, Khabib’s manager, on Twitter on Friday.
Abdulmanap, who was also Khabib’s head coach, was hospitalised in Moscow in May, with coronavirus complications impacting an existing heart condition. Khabib, 31, confirmed on social media at the time that his father was in a critical condition.
His situation seemed to be improving in June, when Abdelaziz told ESPN: “He opened his eyes, responding a little bit -- good sign. Allah is in control.
“We have faith he will be better, but at the end of the day, it’s completely up to his health whether it progresses or not. But he’s progressing, and we’re very happy about this.”
The 57-year-old was unable to fully recover, however.
Khabib’s rival Conor McGregor took to Twitter to send his condolences after the news was confirmed on Friday.
“The loss of a father, a coach, and a dedicated supporter of the sport,” he wrote. “Condolences and rest in peace Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov.”
In April 2018, Khabib won the UFC lightweight title vacated by McGregor. The Dagestan fighter then successfully defended the championship against McGregor in October of the same year, with a brawl breaking out in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena after the fight ended in a fourth-round submission.
Following a suspension for his role in the brawl, Khabib returned in September 2019 and again successfully defended his belt, this time against Dustin Poirier. In doing so, he remained undefeated at 28-0.
