Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father and coach, has died after a series of complications from COVID-19 in the past two months, Russian media RT reported on Friday.
Deeply saddened to hear this news. My heart goes out to the ever-stylish champion @TeamKhabib and his family. I’ll never forget that father-son moment in the Octagon at UFC 242 last fall. 🙏🏼 https://t.co/ICDBq7C5zD
– Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) July 3, 2020
By RT, Abdulmanap died from brain injuries caused by a stroke after fighting coronavirus disease. He suffered a heart attack in May and was in a coma. Khabib told RT on June 23 that his father no longer had COVID-19 but that “his condition is still serious.” Another family has died from the virus, said the UFC lightweight champion.
Relatives are already arriving in their hometown of Kirovaul for a potential burial on Friday, local leader Ilyas Khaziev said via RT.
Khabib’s father was hospitalized in April.
Abdulmanap was initially hospitalized in April at his home in Dagestan, where Khabib was during the COVID-19 pandemic, with suspected pneumonia. He was transferred to Moscow in serious condition for further treatment.
Pneumonia led to a heart attack and he was put into a coma for those complications.
Although he initially tested negative for COVID-19, at some point in time he tested positive, Khabib said in an Instagram video on May 18 that he confirms that his father was hospitalized. He was in critical condition and the UFC stars gave their support to the family.
COVID-19 complications
Khabib updated his father’s status 10 days ago for Channel One Russia, saying it was still serious. He said that his father was still in intensive care and that while he no longer had COVID-19, it had a negative impact on his heart and kidneys.
“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, I take him by the hand, I speak, he gestures to understand that he recognizes me. “
Abdulmanap trained Khabib
Abdulmanap was Khabib’s longtime coach, helping him to a 28-0 record in the UFC and the lightweight championship. The two are reportedly very close.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov only cornered Khabib once during his son’s UFC season.
That happened last September at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.
It meant a lot to Khabib to have his father in his corner that day.
I’m glad you were able to share that moment together. pic.twitter.com/46M2pTadyy
– Chisanga Malata (@Chisanga_Malata) July 3, 2020
Abdulmanap, a wrestling and sambo specialist, has also trained other talents from Dagestan, Russia, and has earned a reputation for his championship contenders. He is unofficially known, by RT, as the “Father of Dagestan MMA”.
