UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov recently found himself in an unusual predicament aboard a flight in the United States, reportedly en route to Los Angeles for UFC 311 to support his teammates. Footage circulating online shows the undefeated 29-0 Hall of Famer engaged in a disagreement with the flight crew, ultimately resulting in his removal from the plane.
The issue arose when Khabib was seated in an emergency exit row. Following standard protocol, a flight attendant asked if he was capable of assisting fellow passengers in an emergency. The exchange appeared to take a confusing turn, with Khabib seemingly misunderstanding the attendant's request. This led to a minor argument and the attendant asking him to vacate the seat for another passenger. The situation escalated when Khabib expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision.
The flight attendant reportedly told Khabib, “We cannot allow you to sit in the exit row, or you’re going to have to get off this plane.” In response, Khabib pleaded his case, saying, “It’s not fair. When I was at check-in, they asked me if I knew English, and I said yes. Why are you doing this?”
Despite Khabib’s objections and assurances that he had complied with all boarding requirements, the attendant appeared unwilling to continue the debate. She ultimately called in the flight supervisor, who intervened and directed Khabib to either accept a different seat or disembark. When the former lightweight champion refused to comply, the supervisor made the decision to have him removed from the flight. His teammates also exited in solidarity.
Online debate
The incident has sparked conversation online, with fans and commentators debating whether the situation was a misunderstanding or an instance of excessive enforcement of airline protocols. Some have pointed out Khabib’s past difficulties with U.S. travel, including challenges his late father faced when obtaining a visa for one of Khabib’s fights.
As the footage continues to circulate, fans are left questioning whether the altercation was a case of miscommunication or an overreaction from the airline staff.