Khabib Nurmagomedov found himself in a dispute on a flight’s exit row, which led to him being asked to leave the plane.
A video of Nurmagomedov arguing with a flight attendant went viral, showing him refusing to change seats and eventually voluntarily leaving the plane after being threatened with removal.
Check out the clip below, originally posted on TikTok by user @viceplayer28, where Nurmagomedov clarifies that it was Frontier Airlines, not Alaska Airlines, involved in the incident.
The disagreement seemed to revolve around Nurmagomedov’s English proficiency and ability to assist in emergencies, as he was seated near an emergency exit.
Nurmagomedov insisted, “I know the language. I know how to help people,” but the attendant disagreed.
The conversation continued with the attendant explaining that the flight crew was uncomfortable with Nurmagomedov in the exit row.
The attendant gave Nurmagomedov the option to switch seats or be escorted off the plane, leading to a back-and-forth exchange.
Nurmagomedov questioned the crew’s discomfort, leading to a call for a supervisor to intervene.
Ultimately, Nurmagomedov chose to leave the plane.
Despite wanting to keep his seat, Nurmagomedov eventually complied and departed the aircraft.
The former UFC champion is currently traveling for UFC 311, where his teammates are set to compete in title fights.
Update: CAIR issued a statement regarding the incident, calling for an investigation into the treatment of Nurmagomedov.
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad urged Alaska Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation to investigate the incident for possible religious or racial profiling.
CAIR also called for transparency in the investigation and appropriate action to be taken by Alaska Airlines.
Update: Read Nurmagomedov’s statement on the incident below.
Khabib clarified that it was Frontier Airlines, not Alaska Air, involved in the incident. Despite speaking English fluently, he was removed from the plane after a dispute with a crew member.
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 12, 2025
Nurmagomedov reiterated that it was Frontier Airlines, not Alaska Air, where he was asked to leave the plane.
He expressed confusion over the reason for his removal, questioning if it was based on racial or national bias.
After a brief conversation, security was called, and Nurmagomedov was deplaned, only to board another flight later.
He emphasized his efforts to remain calm and respectful during the incident.
Nurmagomedov suggested that the crew could improve their customer service in the future.
A previous version of the story incorrectly mentioned Alaska Airlines instead of Frontier Airlines. MMA Fighting regrets the error.