Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father and coach of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, died in Moscow, the fighter’s manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed to ESPN.
The elderly Nurmagomedov had been hospitalized in Moscow since May, when he was diagnosed with coronavirus. He also underwent cardiac surgery for a pre-existing condition further complicated by COVID-19.
ESPN reported in May that he had been placed in a medically induced coma.
“We have lost our spine,” Abdelaziz told ESPN on Friday. “He was a father, a coach, a brother, an icon. Things will never be the same without him.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov has made no public comment on his father’s death. In September, he said his father was “58 years old, almost 59 years old.”
He confirmed his father’s hospitalization on social media in May and encouraged people in his native Dagestan to stay indoors and avoid the coronavirus.
The dominant mixed martial artist has long credited his father with his success in sports.
In addition to his contributions to his son’s success, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov was influential in the careers of a multitude of athletes from the region, including UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev.
The UFC hoped to book a light unification fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Justin Gaethje in the second half of 2020, although a date had not been set.
Gaethje offered his condolences to Nurmagomedov on Friday via social media.
“It is heartbreaking to hear this news from the legend Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. I am very sorry [Khabib]”Gaethje published”.[Your] Dad passed away with a heart full of pride knowing that you will continue his legacy. “
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