Internet outraged after MMA champion Khabib Nurmagomedov removed from flight

The internet is outraged after former professional mixed martial artist (MMA) champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was asked to leave an airplane by Frontier Airlines staff after refusing to change his seat located next to an emergency exit.

For the unversed, Nurmagomedov is the undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion. He was the longest-reigning UFC Lightweight Champion ever, holding the title from April 2018 to March 2021. During his career, he was known for his humble and respectful demeanour.

In a discreetly filmed video posted to social media, a flight attendant could be heard asking the Russian athlete to change his seat because other stewardesses were “not comfortable” with where he was seated.

“I know the language, I know how to help you,” the MMA champion could be heard saying. When he said the treatment was “unfair” the flight attendant argued that it was “fair” and proceeded to call her supervisor who removed Nurmagomedov from the plane.

The athlete was flying from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Los Angeles. According to Al Jazeera, he was flying to California to support his teammates ahead of the UFC 311 event on January 18.

“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 [basis] for that, racial, national or other one, I’m not sure,” he wrote on social media after the incident.

Nurmagomedov said that after speaking to him for two minutes, the attendant called security and removed him from the flight and after one and a half hour he boarded another airline and departed for his destination.

“I did my best to stay calm and respectful as you can see on the video. But those crew members could do better next time and just be nice with clients.”

Frontier Airlines responded to his post on X (formerly Twitter) and said they were aware of the incident and investigating the matter.

The internet widely condemned the incident and many, including members of the MMA fraternity, voiced support for Nurmagomedov.

MMA fighter Belal Muhammad said Nurmagomedov “could’ve threw everyone off the plane and flew it himself if he wanted”.

MMA fighter Michael Chandler, in an X post, defended his fellow athlete and said, “Can you imagine, an emergency happens on your plane and you would prefer a ‘perfect’ speaking human instead of one of the greatest athletes of all time because you’re ‘uncomfortable’ with his ability to speak English (which is very good, btw).” His post referred to many suggestions made online that the airline crew removed him because they believed he could not speak English properly.

Chandler added that if Nurmagomedov was removed from the plane for “a little accent” then passengers should do a physical and mental fitness aptitude test before being allowed to sit in the exit row.

Retired MMA coach John McCarthy believed that Nurmagomedov deserved an apology from the airline because he spoke English well and “there is not a more capable person on that plane to help others in an emergency situation.”

MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz said, “Sometime things happen to people maybe negative, but Khabib always come and talk because his mannerism, his class and his respect for others.”

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) commentator and MMA analyst Laura Sanko said she couldn’t imagine someone she would want to be in charge of throwing open a door and helping in case of an emergency more than Nurmagomedov.

MMA analyst Omer Osman wrote on X, “Even being arguably one of the greatest athletes of this generation does not protect you from discrimination.”

Meanwhile, some netizens believed that Nurmagomedov was removed from the flight because of his pro-Palestine stance.

Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza commented under the athlete’s post and said, “Don’t show any mercy. She really was rude.”

Turkish actor Celal Al also commented on the post. “My brother, you showed the calmness that suits you. But they should apologise o you for this disrespect.”

YouTuber Adam Saleh highlighted that it was 2025 and people were still Islamophobic. “We love you Khabib. You handled it well.”

‘Most capable’

Many social media users believed the MMA champion was the “most capable” person to be seated in the emergency exit row.

‘Bigotry and discrimination’

Others called out the bigotry and discrimination faced by Nurmagomedov and said that his patience was testament to his character.

Another social media user said people were more likely to “die from a plane crash because these corporations cheat on safety regulations.”

An individual claiming to be a former flight attendant said there had to be a “racial motive behind removing him and very little about his English”. They added that the window that had to be removed in case of an emergency weighed 45lbs and airlines often let 90-year-old grandmothers sit in that seat.

A fan of the MMA fighter cancelled their Frontier Airlines flight, stating, “If Khabib can’t fly, I won’t fly too.”

If there’s one thing that’s for certain it’s that the internet has Nurmagomedov’s back and now everyone’s waiting for an apology.