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https://scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163492/one-khabib-felt-completely-terrible-testing Mixed Martial Arts
Khabib Nurmagomedov felt ‘completely terrible’ before Covid-19 positive, ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong reveals
- Chatri reveals former UFC champ Khabib was in rough shape when he was arrived in Singapore to corner protégé at ONE: Heavy Hitters
- ‘The Eagle’ watched Friday night’s event from his hotel room and was ‘blown away by the production value,’ ONE CEO says
Khabib Nurmagomedov poses before his fight with Justin Gaethje. Photo: REUTERS/Christopher Pike
Khabib Nurmagomedov was in rough shape when he arrived in Singapore for ONE Championship’s latest event, according to the organisation’s CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The former UFC lightweight champion travelled to Singapore to corner his fellow Russian Saygid Izagakhmaev in a lightweight fight with James Nakashima at Friday’s ONE: Heavy Hitters event.
Nurmagomedov (29-0) subsequently tested positive for Covid-19, and was forced to lock himself away in his hotel room rather than aid his protégé.
“This is a really unfortunate thing,” Chatri told the Post during a virtual media scrum at the conclusion of the Heavy Hitters event. “Khabib landed in Singapore a few days ago. He was feeling ill when he landed. He tested positive for Covid on a PCR test.
“He’s obviously in his hotel room now, in Singapore. He and I have been talking every day. The first couple of days he felt completely terrible, but today he’s feeling a little bit better.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé Saygid Izagakhmaev prepares to fight James Nakashima at ONE: Heavy Hitters. Photo: ONE Championship
The 27-year-old Izagakhmaev (20-2) was understandably disappointed when Nurmagomedov was forced into quarantine, but adapted to the change without issue.
The Russian prospect defeated Nakashima, a former ONE welterweight title challenger, by second-round submission, for a successful promotional debut.
“[Khabib] came all the way from his place to be in Singapore and he couldn’t even enter the cage and help me as a cornerman – but we’re fighting one-on-one [in MMA],” Izagakhmaev told the Post after his victory over Nakashima. “It was OK mentally, in terms of preparing. I’m just sad he couldn’t corner me.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov protégé Saygid Izagakhmaev celebrates a submission win over James Nakashima at ONE: Heavy Hitters. Photo: ONE Championship
While Nurmagomedov wasn’t able to join his Izagakhmaev in the ONE Championship Circle, he did tune into the fight from his hotel room, and was understandably pleased with his student’s handiwork.
“He’s still in his hotel room,” Chatri said. “He did watch the fight. He did message me and he was very impressed with Saygid.”
The former UFC champ was also impressed with ONE Championship’s product, according to Chatri.
“He also said he was blown away by the production value at ONE, from the stage to the lights and sound, to the camera angles. He was very complimentary.”