Khabib Nurmagomedov Pays Tribute to Father: ‘I Hope You Were Happy with Me’

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Khabib Nurmagomedov on Wednesday made his first public statement on social media since the death of his father.

The UFC lightweight champion paid tribute to his father in an Instagram passage that included a passage from the Quran. Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died earlier this month at age 57 due to complications from COVID-19. The elder Nurmagomedov was a renowned MMA coach in Dagestan and cornered his son for many of his UFC bouts.

“I will miss you Father,” he wrote (translation via RT Sport). “You were father, friend, brother and coach all rolled into one. You taught me almost everything that I can, I hope you were pleased with me.”

The timeline for Khabib’s return to the Octagon is unknown. “The Eagle” was supposed to face Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC 253 in September, but that matchup has been delayed following Abdulmanap’s passing. UFC President Dana White said the promotion would give Khabib as much time as he needs in the wake of the tragedy.

“We’re not messing with Khabib. We’re leaving Khabib alone. Khabib needs time,” White recently said during a media scrum. “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 manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently told TMZ Sports that he expects Khabib to return before the end of the year. The champion last appeared at UFC 242, where he submitted Dustin Poirier in the third round to retain his title last September.

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Quran 17:23-24. And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small." - ‎۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ الْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَا أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَا أُفٍّ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًا كَرِيمًا ‎وَاخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ الذُّلِّ مِنَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِي صَغِيرًا Сура «аль-Исра’» 23-24 аяты. Всевышний говорит: Твой Господь предписал вам не поклоняться никому, кроме Него, и делать добро родителям. Если один из родителей или оба достигнут старости, то не говори им: «Тьфу!». - не кричи на них и обращайся к ним почтительно. Склони пред ними крыло смирения по милосердию своему и говори: «Господи! Помилуй их, ведь они растили меня ребенком». Тебя будет не хватать Отец, ты был Отцом, другом, братом и тренером в одном лице. Ты научил меня практически всему что я умею, надеюсь ты был доволен мною. Ведь в довольстве родителей довольство Аллаха.

A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Jul 22, 2020 at 2:22pm PDT