Everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic on some level, but UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed on Monday just how big a toll it has taken on him and his family.
Last week, it was reported that Nurmagomedov's father woke up from a medically induced coma after complications from pneumonia led to heart surgery. But Nurmagomedov said in an Instagram video that the surgery was actually due to complications of coronavirus.
“More than 20 of my close relatives have suffered (from) COVID-19 and also had to stay in intensive care. Some of them are not with us anymore,” Nurmagomedov said in the video, translated to MMA Junkie. “As for my father, there’s been so much support, and people kept asking about my father."
“My father is still at the hospital. He’s still going through this disease. He also had a heart complication due to COVID-19. Abdulmanap had surgery for his heart last year and also had the second one these days [sic], so he is still in bad condition. That’s all I can say."
Nurmagomedov and his father have received many well wishes from those in the UFC community over the last week. Even bitter rival Connor McGregor set aside his differences with Nurmagomedov to send out a thoughtful tweet.
“I want to thank all the people for your support, wishes and your prayers," Nurmagomedov said. "I also wish all the best. Be safe and healthy. Thank you very much.”