UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov issues honest statement on being removed from airplane, hints at "racial, national" profiling
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from a flight following a dispute with airline staff. The 36-year-old faced issues over his seating assignment in the emergency exit row. Despite his insistence that he was cleared to sit there and was fluent in English, the staff expressed discomfort and requested that he relocate.
Nurmagomedov resisted the seemingly imposed procedure, deeming it unfair, but he was eventually escorted off the plane after a brief discussion. He later clarified on social media that the airline was Frontier, not Alaska Airlines.
According to the former fighter, the crew member in question was rude from the start, leading him to question if racial or national bias played a role in the incident. Despite his frustration, Nurmagomedov emphasized his effort to remain calm and respectful throughout the ordeal.
Nurmagomedov took to X to issue an honest statement regarding the incident and wrote:
"First of all, I need to clarify that it was @FlyFrontier [and] 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 seat. What was the base for that, racial, national or other one, I'm not sure."
He added:
"But after 2 minutes of conversation, she called security and I was deplaned from this aircraft, after 1,5 hour I boarded another airline one and left to my destination. I did my best to stay calm and respecttul as you can see on the video. But those crew members could do better next time and just be nice with clients."
Check out Khabib Nurmagomedov's statement regarding the incident below:
In a poetic touch to the unfortunate incident, Nurmagomedov shared an Instagram story featuring an eagle perched on the wings of an aeroplane, a nod to his nickname, 'The Eagle'.
Check out the Instagram post below:
![Khabib Nurmagomedov concludes statement with a symbolic Instagram story. [Images via: @khabib_nurmagomedov on Instagram]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/24c29-17367339807594-1920.jpg?w=500)
Colby Covington reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov being removed from plane after emergency exit row
Colby Covington reacted sharply to Khabib Nurmagomedov's recent airplane incident, offering a blunt critique of the former UFC lightweight champion’s choice of travel arrangements.
The incident, which saw Nurmagomedov removed from the flight after a disagreement with staff, has drawn varied reactions across the MMA community. Known for his outspoken nature, Covington appeared to mock Nurmagomedov’s decision to fly economy and the airline involved.
Covington took to X to react to the incident and wrote:
"Bratha why you fly the coach and the Alaska airlines bratha!?"
Check out Colby Covington's X post below: