Khabib Nurmagomedov: Father no longer has COVID-19, still in 'serious' condition
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father has “recovered” from COVID-19, but is still in intensive care with kidney and heart complications, the UFC lightweight champion said.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who is also Khabib’s longtime trainer, tested positive for the coronavirus and was hospitalized and put in a coma in mid May. Khabib told Channel One Russia (H/T MMA Fighting) that his father is still hooked up to machines and cannot verbalize.
“Now father’s condition is still serious. He is in intensive care,” Khabib said. “The coronavirus is gone, but the infection has left consequences on the kidneys and on the heart. Now, [the] virus [is] gone. I come to [the] hospital. 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, hold his hand, talk, he gestures to understand that he recognizes me.
Abdulmanap, 57, was placed in a coma after complications from pneumonia, apparently caused by COVID-19, which led to heart surgery. Khabib, who remained in Dagestan, Russia, during the pandemic, said the disease caused multiple deaths in his family. While his father continues his recovery, Khabib will train for his expected return to the Octagon in September.
He told Channel One Russia:
“I prepare, train every day because I know that my father would like me to be in good shape,” Khabib said. “My father would definitely not like that because of him I miss training, of which I am sure. Training helps me relieve stress [and] distract from everything. We’ll go back in the autumn and defend our title.”
He’s expected to defend his title against interim champion Justin Gaethje, who defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 last month.
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