Khabib Nurmagomedov Removed from Flight Amid Seating Dispute

Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Synergy Global Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia - 04 Oct 2019.
Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Synergy Global Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia - 04 Oct 2019. Photo by Kommersant Photo Agency/Shutterstock (10439050f)

Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport on January 12, 2025, following a dispute over his seating in an exit row. The incident has sparked discussions about potential racial bias and the treatment of passengers by airline staff.

Nurmagomedov, 35, was preparing to board a flight when a disagreement arose with a flight attendant regarding his ability to assist in an emergency while seated in an exit row. In a nearly two-minute video, recorded by another passenger and shared by the New York Post, Khabib Nurmagomedov is seen arguing with airline staff about his seating. He tells them, “I know how to help people,” as they inform him that he cannot sit in the exit row.

“We cannot allow you to sit in the exit row,” a staffer tells him. After some back and forth, she adds, “I am not going to do this back and forth. I’ll go call a supervisor. You can either take a different seat or we can go ahead and escort you off the plane.” Nurmagomedov insists he has complied with the crew’s instructions, asking, “When I was in check-in, they asked me do I know English and I say yes. Then why you guys do this? Eventually, a supervisor arrives, and Nurmagomedov leaves the plane without further incident. A man, presumably part of his group, also exits after him.

After the incident, Nurmagomedov took to social media to express his confusion and frustration. He questioned the basis of the dispute and criticized the flight attendant’s demeanor. “I did my best to stay calm and respectful,” he stated, emphasizing his compliance with all check-in procedures.

Nurmagomedov also suggested that racial or national bias might have influenced the incident. He emphasized that he had complied with all check-in procedures and demanded better treatment from the airline.

Across social media, many users have expressed outrage over the incident, questioning why Frontier Airlines removed Khabib Nurmagomedov from the plane, as reported by Yahoo! News. Some suggested boycotting the airline, while others accused the staff of profiling Nurmagomedov, who is Muslim. “Why did you remove Khabib from your plane? His fans need to know! I hope he sues you,” an Instagram user wrote on the airline’s most recent post. “Are you aware of who Khabib is? His legacy surpasses that of the entire airline,” another chimed in. “What is the reason!? Because they don’t feel comfortable he’s sitting by a window?” another questioned.

Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, also shared a statement, saying, “Some things happen to you maybe in a negative way but Khabib always comes out on top because of his mannerism and his class. This is who he is as a human being.”

Frontier Airlines confirmed the incident and stated that they are investigating the matter. The airline has refunded the customers involved and is reviewing the situation to ensure such events do not recur.

Despite the incident, Nurmagomedov is scheduled to support his teammates, Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov, in their upcoming title fights at UFC 311. His commitment to the sport remains unwavering, and he continues to be an influential figure in the MMA community.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about passenger treatment and potential biases within the airline industry. As investigations continue, it underscores the need for airlines to ensure fair and respectful treatment of all passengers.