Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight on Saturday, an incident he detailed on his Instagram account. Video footage surfaced showing Nurmagomedov seated by a window and conversing with a crew member, who informed him that he had the option to switch to a different seat or be removed from the airplane.
The situation escalated when another crew member approached, leading to Nurmagomedov being escorted off the flight. According to Nurmagomedov, the issue arose from questions regarding his English-speaking abilities, which are required for passengers seated in exit rows on aircraft departing from the U.S. He emphasized that he remained “calm and respectful” throughout the interaction, which he described as one of the more composed flight removals seen on camera.
Following the incident, Nurmagomedov stated that he successfully boarded another flight shortly thereafter. He expressed his belief that the crew’s handling of the situation could have been better.
This incident adds to Nurmagomedov’s accolades outside of the UFC ring, highlighting the realities that public figures can face while navigating everyday experiences like air travel. Despite the disruption, he demonstrated grace under pressure, and his situation serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication, particularly in high-stress environments such as airports.