UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has shown off the effects a recent bout of mumps had on him.
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Nurmagomedov, 32, last fought against contender Justin Gaethje during UFC 254’s main-event back in October last year.
The pound-for-pound great’s struggles leading up to his last title defence are well documented with the death of his father being the wrestler’s biggest obstacle.
However, speaking in a recent interview with ACA fighter Magomed Ismailov, Nurmagomedov has shockingly revealed that another issue he faced at the back end of last year was having mumps.
After admitting he originally wanted to cancel his fight with Gaethje, Nurmagomedov (as quoted by MMA Junkie) went on to explain how the painful infection made him feel.
The 33-year-old said: “I started feeling worse on the plane and when we arrive, I get a high fever.
“It was getting really bad and after a while, I was taken to the hospital, and I had intensive care for five days. It was really bad.”
