Khabib Nurmagomedov will be fighting Tony Ferguson for the vacant UFC Interim Lightweight Title at UFC 209 in the co-main event of the show.
When he enters the Octagon on Saturday Night, his father (Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov) and cousin (former Bellator talent Magomedrasul Khaibulaev) won’t be with him, as they have been denied Visa’s to enter the United States.
“The Embassy of course knows everything but they have no right to tell us about the real reasons for the denial,” Abdulmanap explained to Life. “Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to fly back to the United States.”
Khabib himself made it into the United States without a problem, so his fight with Ferguson shouldn’t be affected in any way. As far as his father goes, he will still watch his son compete for UFC gold, no matter what obstacles are in his way.
“In any case, I would not miss [the fight]!” Abdulmanap added. “If needed, I would watch on my phone high in the mountains.”
UFC 209 takes place on Saturday, March 4 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson headlining. Fightful will be providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast as well.
