A recent incident involving former UFC fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov aboard a Frontier Airlines flight has ignited a heated debate on social media. The 36-year-old Russian national was reportedly removed from a flight traveling from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, though the exact circumstances surrounding the event remain unclear. A one-minute video of the incident, which went viral on Sunday, has not been independently verified by BBC, and details of what transpired remain murky.
Frontier Airlines confirmed it is aware of the situation and is conducting an investigation. In a statement to BBC Sport, the airline said, “We have refunded the customer and will communicate directly with them regarding the matter.” The video shows Khabib being told to either change his seat or leave the plane and book another flight. An airline staff member informs him that he cannot sit in the exit row, citing a policy issue. When Khabib questions who raised the objection, he is told it was the flight attendant. The exchange escalates, with Khabib eventually exiting the plane calmly after being warned that a supervisor would be called to remove him.
Eyewitnesses claim the issue began when a flight attendant asked Khabib if he could assist passengers in an emergency. According to reports, the 36-year-old did not fully understand the question, leading to a misunderstanding that spiraled into a confrontation. Khabib later took to Twitter to clarify his side of the story, stating, “First of all, I need to make it clear that this was not Alaska Airlines but Frontier Airlines.” He added, “The woman who approached me was very rude from the start, even though I speak English fluently and understand everything. I was willing to help, but she insisted on moving me from my seat. I’m not sure if it was based on race, nationality, or something else.”
Khabib further explained that after a two-minute conversation, security was called, and he was removed from the plane. He boarded another airline an hour and a half later and continued his journey. “I tried to remain calm, as you can see in the video,” he wrote.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S., has called on Frontier Airlines to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the incident. In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said, “We urge Frontier Airlines to immediately and transparently investigate the actions of its staff to determine what happened on this flight and why athlete and Muslim advocate Khabib Nurmagomedov was treated this way.” The statement also highlighted the prevalence of racial and religious profiling incidents on airlines, particularly against visibly Muslim passengers, and called for public disclosure of the investigation’s findings.
Social media users have rallied behind Khabib, with many praising his calm demeanor. One user, Sheikh Khalid Pasha, described him as a “calm and polite person” and noted his fluency in English. Another user remarked, “Khabib was literally the most fit and capable person on that entire plane to assist in an emergency, and you kicked him out. Well done.”
Frontier Airlines has reiterated that it is aware of the incident and that an investigation is ongoing. The airline has yet to release further details or conclusions from its inquiry.
