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Conor McGregor responds to death of Khabib Nurmagomedov's father

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, pictured here in the UFC.
Conor McGregor has sent his condolences after the death of Khabib Nurmagomedov's father. Image: Getty

Conor McGregor has paid tribute to “father, coach and dedicated supporter” of UFC Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov after the father of Khabib Nurmagomedov died on Friday.

The father and former trainer of Russian star Khabib died at 57 after contracting coronavirus, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced.

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“I've received sad news, friends, that Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov has left this world,” Kadyrov wrote on Telegram messenger, saying he was expressing the condolences of the “whole Chechen people.”

The fighter's father was first hospitalised in April in his native North Caucasus region of Dagestan and was later transferred to a Moscow clinic.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the 31-year-old UFC lightweight champion, in May urged people in Dagestan, one of the regions hardest hit by the pandemic, to be “disciplined” and “listen to our doctors.”

The devastating news sparked an outpouring of tributes around the UFC world - and McGregor was among those to send condolences.

“The loss of a father, a coach, and a dedicated supporter of the sport. Condolences and rest in peace Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,” the Irishman tweeted.

McGregor’s classy response came just days after a nasty claim that Abdulmanap’s virus battle was a “cover up” so Khabib wouldn’t have to get back into the Octagon.

“A cover up to hide the lack of activity and the pulling out of fights and running away. Good luck but remember - Allah sees all,” McGregor wrote on social media in response to a sledge from Khabib’s cousin Abubakar.

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, pictured here in action at UFC 229 in 2018.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov dies after virus battle

This week Khabib posted a picture of his tracksuited father at a training session on Instagram with the caption “Father”, as followers said they were praying for his recovery.

A week ago the fighter had given an interview to Russian television, saying that his father no longer had the virus but was still in intensive care with damage to his kidneys and heart.

He said he was visiting daily although his father was not able to speak to him.

The fighter was due to give a press conference on Saturday that has now been cancelled.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov trained numerous champions in judo and the Russian martial arts discipline sambo.

He began teaching his son fighting moves from the age of three, Komsomolskaya Pravda tabloid reported.

In 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin had a televised meeting with Khabib Nurmagomedov and his father, saying that the fighter did not deserve harsh punishment for a post-fight brawl.

with AFP