‘We’re not messing with Khabib. We’re leaving him alone’: Dana White insists UFC will not put pressure on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s octagon return after the Russian champion’s father and trainer died of Covid-19 complications
- Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov passed on July 3 after contracting the coronavirus
- The Russian was the father and trainer of UFC lightweight dominator, Khabib
- Nurmagomedov Junior had looked set to fight Justin Gaethje in September
- However, his return is unknown with Dana White insisting the UFC won’t rush him
Dana White has revealed the UFC will give Khabib Nurmagomedov all the time he needs before an octagon return, after MMA was rocked by the death of the Russian’s father.
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, who had trained his son through the champion’s steady rise to the top of the lightweight division, passed on July 3 after battling coronavirus.
The 57-year-old was considered an icon of Russian combat sports, last coaching a victory for his dominant son against Dustin Poirier in September.
Dana White is ready to give Khabib Nurmagomedov time out of the cage to mourn his father
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov was Khabib’s coach before he died of Covid-19-related issues
MMA was hit hard by Abdulmanap’s passing, as White is not going to hurry the champion back
The 28-0 fighter looked set for a clash with interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje next, but the UFC president is ready for a delay.
‘It’s terrible, we feel horrible for Khabib. We know how much he loves his father and how close they were,’ White said after the UFC 251 weigh-ins on Fight Island.
‘We’re not messing with Khabib. We’re leaving Khabib alone. Khabib needs time.
‘Khabib is going to need time to get his head straight and figure out what’s next for him, you know? So we’re just gonna leave him alone for a little while. We’ll figure it out.’
Khabib’s father oversaw his ruthless rise through the lightweight division to a 28-0 record
Abdulmanap was central in developing Khabib’s so far unbeatable wrestling game in the UFC