Khabib Nurmagomedov Escorted Off Plane in Bizarre Exit Row Dispute
Credit: Unsplash
In a surprising twist, UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, known for his undefeated record in the octagon, found himself in the middle of a flight drama that left fans buzzing. The former lightweight champion, often called “The Eagle,” was escorted off a Frontier Airlines flight after a disagreement with airline staff over his seating arrangement.
What Happened?
The incident occurred on a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Khabib was seated in the emergency exit row—a spot he claimed had been cleared for him during check-in. However, things took a turn when airline staff reportedly felt “uncomfortable” with him sitting there and asked him to move.
Khabib Nurmagomedov was kicked off a flight after apparent racial profiling pic.twitter.com/i758AnT2Sa
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) January 12, 2025
Khabib calmly explained that he understood the safety protocols and was more than capable of assisting if needed. “I know the language and how to help people,” he said in a video that quickly went viral. But despite his protests, the airline crew stood their ground, giving him two choices: switch seats or leave the plane.
Khabib chose to stand his ground, which ultimately led to him being escorted off the flight.
THIS IS THE FLIGHT CAPTAIN THAT REMOVED KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV FROM THE PLANE pic.twitter.com/2PmSKsUVdH
— MrTestoestrogen (@MrTestoestrogen) January 12, 2025
Khabib Speaks Out
The MMA star later took to social media to share his side of the story. He expressed disappointment with how the situation was handled, describing the crew member’s behavior as rude from the start.
First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier not AlaskaAir.
Lady who comes to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything and agreed to assist, she still insists on removing me from my…— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 12, 2025
“Even though I speak very decent English and agreed to assist, she still insisted on removing me from my seat,” Khabib posted on X (formerly Twitter). He questioned whether the decision was based on factors like race or nationality but noted that he remained calm and respectful throughout.
After being deplaned, Khabib boarded another airline and made it to his destination about 90 minutes later. He encouraged airline staff to “be nicer” to passengers in the future.
Fans Rally Behind Khabib
Supporters were quick to praise Khabib for his calm demeanor during the ordeal. Many questioned the airline’s reasoning for removing him, particularly after he confirmed he was willing and able to fulfill the requirements of sitting in the exit row.
This incident shows a different side of the UFC Hall of Famer, who is widely admired for his discipline and sportsmanship in and out of the cage.
A Fighter in Every Arena
Khabib, who retired from MMA in 2020 with an impeccable 29-0 record, is no stranger to challenges. While this one wasn’t inside an octagon, his composed response to the situation demonstrated why he remains a role model to many.
For now, fans are left wondering if the airline will address the controversy directly. Either way, one thing is clear: Khabib continues to capture the world’s attention—even when he’s simply trying to catch a flight.
