FILE PHOTO: Russian mixed martial arts fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov attends a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Makhachkala, Russia September 12, 2019. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS
(Reuters) - UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov defends his belt against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Saturday, but the greatest obstacle he might have to overcome is the absence of his coach and father Abdulmanap, who passed away in July.
The 57-year-old, who died from complications caused by COVID-19, was instrumental in his son's rise to the top of MMA, where he holds an unbeaten record of 28-0 and a fearsome reputation as one of the best ever to step in the cage.
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