UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, one of the world’s most popular Muslim athletes, has revealed that his father is in critical condition after being infected by COVID-19.
“There is a lot written on the internet about my father. My father, right now, is in a hospital. He is in critical condition as a result of this virus. It impacted his heart because last year he had a surgery there, and right now, they did another surgery. He is in a very difficult situation, very difficult. We are asking Allah that he returns him to us,” said Nurmagomedov during an Instagram live chat on Monday.
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Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, the father of undefeated UFC lightweight champion, has played a large part in his son’s successful mixed martial arts career.
The Dagestan fighter added that other members of his family had been affected by the virus, The Guardian reported.
“In my personal case, I’ve had more than 20 people sick from my family,” Nurmagomedov said.
“More than 20 people were lying in the ICUs. And many of them are no longer among us. Many acquaintances have died, many parents of my relatives. Everybody is having a hard time dealing with it.”
Stay At Home
Khabib sent a message to the world, urging them to stay at home and practice social distancing.
“Our learned Islamic scholars are telling us, ‘Stay home, and do the holiday prayer,’” Nurmagomedov said. “Don’t have guests. Don’t go yourselves as guests. It is a very difficult situation.”
As of Wednesday, May 20, the COVID-19 pandemic has infected 5,003,304 and killed other 325,223, according to the latest estimates by WorldOMeter.
Russia is grappling with over 308,705 confirmed cases of the new virus. It has reported 2,972 deaths so far.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (right) and his father Abdulmanap at a press conference in Moscow. Photo: AFP