Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been put into a medically induced coma in Moscow, the fighter’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
Abdelaziz confirmed Abdulmanap was transported to Moscow from his native Dagestan via airlift earlier this month. Nurmagomedov has publicly stated his father underwent heart surgery recently, and has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
“I can confirm Khabib’s father is in a medically induced coma,” Abdelaziz told ESPN. “Khabib has been in contact with [Russian president] Vladimir Putin over the last several days, and he has promised Khabib’s father will receive the best medical treatment available.
“Khabib’s No. 1 message to people around the world right now is to stay at home, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.”
Nurmagomedov, 31, addressed the situation via Instagram Live on Monday, where he confirmed his father has been hospitalized because of heart complications. He described his father’s status as “a very difficult situation, very difficult.”
The UFC and its president, Dana White, have publicly expressed their well-wishes to Nurmagomedov’s father, whom Khabib gives credit for his success in mixed martial arts. Nurmagomedov (28-0) was supposed to defend his title in April but was ultimately unable to do so because of travel restrictions in Russia. He has become a strong advocate for staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic in the wake of his father’s condition.