UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov kicked off flight after dispute with airline crew
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was escorted off a flight from Las Vegas after an apparent dispute with airline staff.
The 36-year-old, a former lightweight champion best known for beating Conor McGregor in 2018, was escorted off the plane after refusing to change seats.
In a clip that has gone viralNurmagomedov is seen sitting in the exit row. But the staff, reportedly from Alaska Airlines, apparently felt “uncomfortable” and wanted to take him elsewhere for the flight, which was reportedly headed to Los Angeles.
The Russian protested the “unfair” decision and emphasized that he “knows the language” and “how to help people.”
The airline staff member insisted that the issue was not related to his knowledge of English. But when asked why they wanted him moved, she simply said, “They don’t like you sitting in the emergency exit row.”
After Nurmagomedov continued to fight his case – ‘it’s not fair… I would like to sit here’ – the former UFC star was given an ultimatum.
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was escorted off a flight from Las Vegas
The 36-year-old former MMA fighter was escorted off the plane after refusing to change seats
‘The Eagle’ has won all 29 UFC fights, culminating in a win over Justin Gaethje in 2020
“Either we’ll let you switch seats because my flight attendants won’t let you sit in the exit row.” Otherwise you have to get off this plane and we will rebook you,” he was told.
He refused to move and was quickly led away from his seat – despite the Russian explaining that airport staff had given him permission to sit in the exit row.
‘When I was at the check-in, they asked me: do I know everything? I said yes,” you hear him say.
“I understand that, but it is also based on their judgment,” the airline employee responded. “I’m not going to do this back and forth.
“I’ll call a supervisor, you can move to another seat or we can escort you off the plane.”
Moments later, Nurmagomedov climbed out of his seat and walked down the aisle as someone grabbed luggage from the overhead lockers.
‘The Eagle’ won all 29 UFC fights, culminating in a win over Justin Gaethje in 2020. In 2022, he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.