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Conor McGregor sledges Khabib about father's coma

Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, pictured here at UFC 229 in 2018.
Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229 in 2018. (Photo by Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Conor McGregor has accused Khabib Nurmagomedov of using his father’s coma as an excuse not to step back into the Octagon.

On Tuesday, UFC lightweight champion Khabib said his father has “recovered” from COVID-19, but is still in intensive care with kidney and heart complications.

Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s father and long-time trainer, tested positive for coronavirus and was placed in a coma in May.

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Khabib told Channel One Russia that his father is still hooked up to machines and cannot verbalise.

“Now father’s condition is still serious. He is in intensive care,” Khabib said.

“The coronavirus is gone, but the infection has left consequences on the kidneys and on the heart.

“He recognises me, but there is no communication, because he is under the hospital devices.

“Every day, I visit him for half an hour, hold his hand, talk, he gestures to understand that he recognises me.”

Khabib Nurmagomedov, pictured here with father and coach Abdulmanap at UFC 242.
Khabib Nurmagomedov with father and coach Abdulmanap ahead of UFC 242. (Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images)

Upon hearing the initial news that Abdulmanap was in a coma, McGregor sent a classy message of support.

However it appears as though he’s done with taking the high road.

After being mocked by Khabib’s cousin on Wednesday over his loss to Khabib at UFC 229 in 2018, McGregor got nasty.

Abubakar Nurmagomedov posted a picture of McGregor gasping for air as Khabib made him submit, writing: "When it's coronavirus and you can't breathe".

So McGregor fired back: “I figured it was all just a cover up about Abdulmanap.”

“A cover up to hide the lack of activity and the pulling out of fights and running away. Good luck but remember - Allah sees all!”

McGregor has since deleted his comment.

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Abdulmanap, 57, was placed in a coma after complications from pneumonia, apparently caused by COVID-19, which led to heart surgery.

Khabib, who remained in Dagestan, Russia, during the pandemic, said the disease caused multiple deaths in his family.

In May McGregor wrote that he was praying for Abdulmanap’s recovery, calling him a “true martial arts genius.”

“A man responsible for more World champions, across multiple fighting disciplines, than we even know,” McGregor wrote on Twitter.

“Very saddened upon hearing this news tonight. Praying for the Nurmagomedov family at this time.”

UFC president Dana White also expressed his sadness.

“Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov is a true martial artist who lives a life of pride, honour and respect,” White tweeted.

“He instilled those same values in his son, world champion Khabib, at an early age and was always in his corner throughout his career.

“I know how close Khabib is with his father and I’m saddened to hear about his current state. My thoughts are with Abdulmanap and the Nurmagomedov family as he continues to fight.”

McGregor and Khabib have a long-standing hatred for each other, with the pair trading verbal blows on social media for years.

with Yahoo Sports US