UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov has reacted to the tragic death of boxer Maxim Dadashev, a fellow Russian who died of injuries suffered in a recent fight.
28-year-old Maxim Dadashev suffered a subdural haematoma in a 140-pound world title eliminator against Puerto Rican Subriel Matias at MGM National Harbor in suburban Washington on Friday, July 19, 2019.
The lightweight fighter took repeated violent blows to the head before his trainer Buddy McGirt called for the end of the bout in the 11th round.
Upon leaving the ring, Dadashev lost consciousness and was later placed into a medically-induced coma and underwent a two-hour surgery, where part of his skull was removed to relieve swelling in his brain.
After showing signs of “severe brain damage”, he passed away on Tuesday at the local UM Prince George’s Hospital Center from heart failure as a result of his injuries.
Taking to Instagram to pay tribute to the boxer, Khabib who defeated Conor McGregor last year, wrote in Russian:
“This incident proves to us yet again, that there are more important things than sport. Every time I see or hear such news I begin to hate this sport of beating each other.”
“Nothing is permanent, glory, money, titles, our entire lives, we will all exit this world, no one will stay forever. It is worth pondering. Strength to Maxim’s loved ones. Do good things and may God reward us for our deeds and actions in the next life, and forgive us our sins.”