The father and coach of UFC champion Khabib Nurmergamedov died at the age of 57 as a result of the coronavirus.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, died in Moscow, according to website RT.com.
He reportedly died of brain injuries caused by a heart attack.
His death drew a warm message from one of Chabib’s greatest rivals, Conor McGregor.
“The loss of a father, a coach and a dedicated supporter of the sport. Condolences and peace in peace to Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov,” McGregor tweeted.
Less than two years ago, Khabib defeated McGregor at UFC 229 in Las Vegas, followed by a mass brawl between the teams. It remains the biggest UFC fight ever.
Khabib’s father has been hospitalized since the positive test for COVID-19 in April. He was operated on after a heart attack and put into an induced coma, and even after waking up, he had difficulty speaking.
Khabib’s manager Ali Abdelaziz says Abdulmanap’s death is a great loss.
“We have lost our backbone,” Abdelaziz told ESPN.
“He was a father, a coach, a brother, an icon. Without him, things will never be the same.”
