The renowned coach claims that Khabib Nurmagomedov’s father, Abdulmanap, has recovered from his COVID-19 diagnosis but remains in hospital due to complications from heart surgery.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov — father of reigning UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov — is reportedly no longer suffering from COVID-19 related symptoms.
According to Javier Mendez, founder of the American Kickboxing Academy and Khabib’s current coach, Abdulmanap has recovered from COVID-19, though remains in hospital due to complications from heart surgery.
“Three days ago, Khabib left a message that his father’s condition is improving, he is recovering,” Mendez told TASS. “And then we talked with one common acquaintance, he said that Abdulmanap was no longer ill with the coronavirus. He had complications from heart surgery.”
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, 57, was transported from his native Dagestan to a military hospital in Moscow in April after falling ill with pneumonia and flu-like symptoms, which was later confirmed to be COVID-19. As his condition worsened, the renowned coach suffered a stroke and underwent surgery before being placed in a medically induced coma. And despite waking from the coma a week later, he was reportedly unable to speak and remained in critical condition. He was then once again placed in a medically induced coma after his condition worsened significantly.
Despite Abdulmanap’s concerning trajectory, Khabib’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, later confirmed that the beloved coach recently opened his eyes and even spoke to Khabib during a recent encounter.
“Khabib is very strong, his family is very strong and his father is very strong,” Abdelaziz told ESPN. “He’s improving. He opened his eyes, responding a little bit — good sign. Allah is in control. We have faith he will be better, but at the end of the day, it’s completely up to his health whether it progresses or not. But he’s progressing, and we’re very happy about this.”
While it appears as though the worst has passed with regards to Abdulmanap’s illness, he remains hospitalized for the foreseeable future.
“Of course, I am worried — I’m even tearing up now,” Mendes said. “I want such a great man to recover.”