Khabib Nurmagomedov Says Father is Coronavirus Free, But Condition Still Serious

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Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov no longer has the coronavirus, but he remains in serious condition at the hospital.

UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov provided an update on his father in an interview with Channel One Russia (translation via Tass reporter Igor Lazarin).

“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 hospital, he recognizes me, but there is no 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 initially fell ill with pneumonia at the end of April and was transported from a medical facility in Dagestan to Moscow as a result of heart problems. Abdulmanap was reportedly diagnosed with coronavirus once he arrived in the Russian capital. Khabib later confirmed that multiple members of his family, including his father, had been affected by COVID-19.

Last month, Abdulmanap underwent a heart bypass surgery and had to be connected to a life support machine when his condition deteriorated, according to multiple reports from Russian outlets. That turn for the worse occurred after Abdulmanap had previously awakened from a coma earlier in the month. More recent reports indicated that his condition had been gradually improving.

“I am sure of the doctors [who treat Abdulmanap], they are [some] of the best in the world, I have no doubt,” Khabib said. “Thanks so much for everything they do. In this regard, everything is very good, it just takes time, because the consequences are very difficult and the rehabilitation period will be difficult and long.”

Khabib added that he is preparing to defend his belt against Justin Gaethje with the understanding that the lightweight title unification bout will take place in the fall.

“I prepare, train every day, because I know that my father would like me to be in good shape,” he said. “My father would definitely not like that because of him I miss training, of which I am sure. Training helps me relieve stress, distract from everything. We’ll go back in the autumn and defend our title.”