Nasrat Haqparast gives update on eye infection that caused UFC London withdrawal
Nasrat Haqparast’s condition is even worse than initially reported.
The Afghan-German lightweight was scheduled to compete against Nad Narimani in the opening bout of UFC London this past Saturday, but the promotion released a statement less than an hour before showtime announcing that the fight was canceled due to Haqparast contracting an infectious eye condition.
At the start of the Fight Pass broadcast, UFC play-by-play man John Gooden said that Haqparast was suffering from conjunctivitis (better known as “pink eye”), but according to a tweet from Haqparast issued on Monday, that is not the case:
Just out of the doctor. It’s not a pink eye , it’s an dangerous infection which can go up to my brain and the virus could infect the brain. Back soon @UFCEurope @ufc pic.twitter.com/t5xsBr5r4L
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) March 19, 2018
Haqparast expressly states he does not have pink eye, but instead a “dangerous infection” that could “infect the brain.” He added that he hopes to be back soon.
Despite the cancellation, Haqparast was apparently paid his show purse and he expressed gratitude to the UFC staff for taking care of him.
Thank you to @seanshelby @danawhite and the @ufc for paying me my purse. I would have fought with 1 eye... Speechless how much the UFC staff took care of me, you guys are amazing and Im really thankful to be part of the best organization on the planet. pic.twitter.com/Z5763MA9Tc
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) March 18, 2018
The UFC is the #1 for a reason. Nobody sees how much the ufc staff works to let the fighters feel like kings during fight week.
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) March 18, 2018