Umar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Khabib, ruled out of UFC 254 due to illness

Russian bantamweight was set to make UFC bow against fellow debutant Sergei Morozov at Flash Forum on Saturday

Khabib Nurmagomedov after his win over Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The crowd cheer at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge (winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Lightweight bout between Fares Ziam (blue shorts) and Don Madge in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts) and Zak Cummings during the early matches of UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Middleweight bout between Omari Akhmedov (red shorts, Winner) and Zak Cummings in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Nordine Taleb and Muslim Salikhov (grey shorts, winner) in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts) and Takashi Satō in the early matches at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad (green shorts, winner) and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Teemu Packalen and Ottman Azaitar (black shorts, winner) in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Sarah Moras made history by winning the first ever female UFC fight in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: UAE jiu-jitsu fighter Faisal Al Ketbi. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Featherweight bout between Lerone Murphy (red shorts, draw) and Zubaira Tukhugov in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: General sec of Abu Dhabi Sports council Aref Al Awani. Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Women's Flyweight bout between Joanne Calderwood (blue shorts, winner) and Andrea Lee in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: The Arena. Women's bantamweight bout between Sarah Moras (black shorts, winner) and Liana Jojua in the Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans take pics. Welterweight bout between Belal Muhammad and Takashi Satō in the Early Prelims at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Mairbek Taisumov and Diego Ferreira (yellow shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight Fans. Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes (black shorts, winner) and Shamil Abdurakhimov in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Fight fans. Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Davi Ramos and Islam Makhachev (red shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov (black shorts, winner) and Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - September 07, 2019: Lightweight bout between Edson Barboza and Paul Felder (blue shorts, winner) in the Main card at UFC 242. Saturday the 7th of September 2019. Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Umar Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, has been ruled out of his UFC debut at Saturday’s UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi because of illness.

The Russian bantamweight, who had been training alongside the lightweight champion in Dubai since last month, was set to take on fellow debutant Sergei Morozov at Flash Forum, in the event that concludes “Return to Fight Island”.

Russian news agency TASS reported on Sunday that Umar Nurmagomedov had been taken to hospital in Dubai with "severe flu, fever and vomiting", but Khabib Nurmagomedov confirmed later on Instagram that his cousin had in fact a staph infection.

In a post in his native Russian, Khabib Nurmagomedov said (via translation): “The last few days, Umar has been in a hotel with a high fever, which was caused by a staphylococcal infection. But despite this, he and our entire team were determined that he would perform on October 24.

"This morning, before our flight to Abu Dhabi, he got worse and was hospitalised in Dubai. Get well brother, so it was meant to be.”

Umar Nurmagomedov has twice previously had to postpone his UFC bow, once at UFC 249 in April because of restrictions put in place by the pandemic, and then again in July following the death of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, his uncle and coach.

Khabib Nurmagomedov headlines UFC 254 in his lightweight unification bout with interim champion Justin Gaethje.

The Dagestan native, unbeaten in all 28 professional fights, has not fought since September last year, when he defeated Dustin Poirier, also in Abu Dhabi.