Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was recently removed from a Frontier Airlines flight after a disagreement over his seating assignment. The incident occurred as Nurmagomedov was traveling from Las Vegas to San Francisco during a week filled with fights involving his protégés.
A video circulating on social media shows a flight attendant approaching Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was seated near an emergency exit. The attendant requested that he change seats, expressing concerns about his ability to assist in an emergency due to perceived language barriers. “We’re going to move you to another seat because my flight attendants won’t let you sit in the exit row, or you’ll have to get off this plane because they’re not comfortable,” the flight attendant is heard saying in the video.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, known for his calm demeanor, questioned the fairness of the request, stating that he speaks “very decent English” and is capable of understanding instructions. Despite his objections, he eventually stood up and left the plane.
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Following the incident, Khabib Nurmagomedov addressed the situation on social media, clarifying that Frontier, not Alaska Airlines, was the airline involved. He described the flight attendant as “very rude from the very beginning” and questioned the basis for his removal, pondering whether it was due to racial or national reasons. He emphasized his efforts to remain calm and respectful throughout the encounter and suggested that the crew could “do better next time and just be nice with clients.”
Khabib Nurmagomedov was kicked off a flight after an interaction with the staff????‼️ pic.twitter.com/1tXK6FBilw
— Combat Casuals (@Combat_Casuals) January 12, 2025
The incident has sparked discussions within the MMA community and among fans, with many expressing support for Nurmagomedov and criticizing Frontier Airlines’ handling of the situation. Frontier Airlines has acknowledged the incident and stated that they are investigating.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired from professional fighting in 2020 with an undefeated record of 29-0, remains a prominent figure in the MMA world. He actively coaches and mentors upcoming fighters. The incident occurred while he was traveling to support his teammates in various competitions.
