Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from a Las Vegas flight after refusing to change seats from an emergency exit row. Airline staff from Frontier Airlines claimed they were uncomfortable with him sitting there, despite Nurmagomedov insisting on his rights to stay. A video shows the confrontation, with the airline stating that it wasn’t a language issue but rather a matter of judgment. After repeated refusals to comply, security was called, leading to his removal. Nurmagomedov later described the crew’s behavior as rude and questioned the motives behind the decision, emphasizing his courteous demeanor throughout the incident.
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was escorted off a flight from Las Vegas after an apparent altercation with airline staff.
The 36-year-old former lightweight champion, best known for defeating Conor McGregor in 2018, was removed from the plane after refusing to change his seat.
A video circulating online shows Nurmagomedov sitting in an emergency exit row. But staff at Frontier Airlines were apparently “unpleased” and wanted to move him elsewhere for the supposed flight to Los Angeles.
Russians protested the “unfair” decision and claimed that they “know the language” and “know how to help people.”
After Nurmagomedov continued his lawsuit, the former UFC star was given an ultimatum: “It’s not fair…I want to sit here.”
Despite explaining to the Russian national that he was allowed to sit in the exit row by airport staff, he refused to move and was quickly removed from his seat.
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is escorted off a plane from Las Vegas.
The 36-year-old former MMA fighter was removed from the plane after refusing to change his seat.
“The Eagle” has won 29 fights in the UFC, culminating with a win over Justin Gaethje in 2020.
“My flight attendant won’t allow you to sit in the exit row, so I’d like you to change your seat.” Otherwise, you’ll have to get off this plane. Then we will rebook you,” he was told.
Airline staff insisted that the problem was not with his English proficiency. However, when asked why she wanted to move him, she simply replied, “They’re uncomfortable with you sitting in the emergency exit row.”
“When I checked in, they asked me, ‘Do I know everything? I said yes,'” he was heard saying.
“We understand that, but it is also based on their judgment,” the airline staff responded. “I’m not going to do this back and forth.
“I’ll call a supervisor so you can either sit somewhere else or we can go ahead and get you off the plane.”
A few minutes later, Nurmagomedov got up from his seat and walked down the aisle while someone removed his luggage from an overhead locker.
He later commented on the incident on social media, claiming that the plane’s staff had been “rude”.
“First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier, not Alaska Airlines,” Nurmagomedov told X. “The woman who came to ask me a question was very rude from the beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything. And although I agreed to cooperate, she still insists on removing me from my seat.”
“I don’t know what the basis for that was, racial, national, or anything else. But after a two-minute conversation, she called security and I was taken off this plane and for an hour and a half. I later boarded another airline and departed for my destination. As you can see in the video, I tried my best to remain calm and respectful, but those crew members will do better next time. , you can be kind to your clients.”
‘The Eagle’ has won all 29 of his UFC fights, culminating with a victory over Justin Gaethje in 2020. He will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2022.
