Khabib Nurmagomedov Reflects on 1-Year Anniversary of Father’s Death

Saturday marks a year since Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomeodv, died due to COVID-19 related complications.

Abdulmanap was an integral figure in the MMA career of his son, serving as Khabib’s main coach during his rise to prominence. His death hastened Khabib’s departure from the sport, as the Dagestani grappler retired following a victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 this past October, citing a promise he made to his mother to no longer compete without his father by his side.

Today is already a year since the Father is not with us,” Nurmagomedov wrote on Instagram. “This event increased my conviction that nothing in this world belongs to us, neither our children, nor our parents, nor our property. All we have is all temporary.”

“Everything belongs to Allah alone and to Him will be our return, tie your hearts to Allah, stay more alone with Him, because the time will come and we will all be put in a grave, where we will be alone, where our friends, relatives, property and our connections will not be, only our deeds and report.”

Others in the MMA world who were connected to Abdulmanap offered tributes on Saturday as well, including Javier Mendez, Islam Makhachev, Rustam Khabilov and Ali Abdelaziz. Khabib’s victory over Gaethje left him with a 29-0 career mark, but despite the UFC’s best efforts, “The Eagle” has remained resolute in his decision to walk away from MMA since his last Octagon appearance.

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