Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father is reportedly getting better.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is showing signs of progress after falling in critical condition due to complications from COVID-19, according to a report by ESPN on Tuesday night.
Abdulmanap was hospitalized and underwent heart surgery in early May. He’s currently at a hospital in Moscow, Russia where he’s been recovering. According to the report, Abdulmanap has opened his eyes and is beginning to respond. Although there’s progress, he remains in serious condition.
“Khabib is very strong, his family is very strong, and his father is very strong,” Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN. “He’s improving. 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.”
Khabib confirmed his father was in critical condition last month and he also said more than 20 of his close relatives had contacted coronavirus.
The UFC lightweight champion hasn’t fought since defending the title back in September, defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. He was scheduled to return this spring in a highly anticipated bout with Tony Ferguson, but the bout was canceled when Khabib was unable to enter the U.S. due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Instead, Ferguson fought and lost to replacement Justin Gaethje for the interim title. Now, a title unification bout between Khabib and Gaethje is expected to take place later this year.
