Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov faced an unexpected incident while traveling on Frontier Airlines at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport. He was removed from a flight after a disagreement with airline crew over his seating in an exit row, a situation that has since gone viral on social media.
Nurmagomedov took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his side of the story, clarifying that the airline involved was Frontier, not Alaska Airlines. He described a confrontation with a flight attendant who he felt was disrespectful. Despite his assurances that he could assist other passengers during an emergency, the crew insisted on moving him or removing him from the flight entirely.
In his post, he shared, “The lady who came to me with questions was very rude from the very beginning, even though I speak very decent English.” He also noted his compliance with the check-in procedures where he confirmed his ability to understand English. Despite this, the staff initiated his removal, leading to the intervention of security personnel.
A fellow passenger recorded part of the encounter, where a flight attendant insisted they could not allow him to sit in the exit row, emphasizing the need for clarity and a decision regarding his seating. Nurmagomedov, feeling it was unjust, responded, “It’s not fair,” and noted that he was ultimately escorted off the aircraft after a brief exchange.
After this experience, he managed to board another airline after waiting for an hour and a half. He reflected on the situation, stating he remained calm and respectful throughout, urging airline staff to treat passengers more kindly in the future.
As one of the sport’s greatest figures, Nurmagomedov concluded his MMA career undefeated with a record of 29-0 and was traveling to California to support his teammates at UFC 311. This event features significant matchups, including fights for titles in the lightweight and bantamweight divisions.
There has been no public response from Frontier Airlines regarding this incident, raising questions about airline policies and personnel training in customer service.
This situation highlights the complexities of air travel and the importance of effective communication between airline staff and passengers. It’s a reminder that kindness can go a long way in resolving disputes amicably.