Khabib says coronavirus responsible for father's heart complications

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Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed Monday that his father's health complications are connected to the coronavirus.

In late April, it was reported that the UFC lightweight champion's father and coach, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, was hospitalized in Dagestan for suspected pneumonia. After being transferred to a Moscow hospital earlier in May, Abdulmanap reportedly entered a coma last Wednesday, underwent heart surgery, and regained consciousness the next day.

"My father is still at the hospital," Khabib said in an Instagram video, according to a translation on MMA Junkie. "He's still going through this disease."

Khabib said his father, who has coached him for the majority of his MMA career, remains in "bad condition." The 31-year-old said Abdulmanap also underwent heart surgery in 2019.

"More than 20 of my close relatives have suffered (from) COVID-19 and also had to stay in intensive care," Khabib added. "Some of them are not with us anymore."

The coronavirus pandemic has also impacted Khabib's fighting career. The undefeated titleholder was scheduled to meet Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 on April 18 but was forced out of the bout due to Russian travel restrictions.

Khabib is now expected to face Justin Gaethje - who beat Ferguson on May 9 to capture the interim belt - in a title unification bout later this year.