Former UFC champion and Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov recently found himself at the center of a heated dispute during a domestic flight in the United States. The incident, which occurred as Nurmagomedov was en route to corner his fighters at UFC 311 in Las Vegas, led to him being removed from the plane following a disagreement with the flight crew over emergency exit seating rules.
From Confusion to Conflict
The situation unfolded when Nurmagomedov, seated in the emergency exit row, was approached by a flight attendant. As per airline protocol, passengers in such seats must confirm their ability to assist in case of an emergency. Witnesses captured the exchange on video, which shows the interaction escalating rapidly.
The flight attendant stated, “We cannot allow you to sit in the exit row or you’re gonna have to get off this plane.” Nurmagomedov, visibly frustrated, responded, “It’s not fair. When I was in check-in, they asked me if I know English, and I said yes. Then why are you doing this?”
Despite his explanation, the flight attendant maintained that the decision was at the discretion of the crew. “I’m not going to do this back and forth. I’ll call a supervisor. You can either take a different seat or we’ll have to ask you to leave the plane,” she added.
After the supervisor intervened, Nurmagomedov was ultimately escorted off the plane, with his teammates voluntarily disembarking in solidarity. The group was reportedly heading to Las Vegas to support fellow Dagestani fighters Islam Makhachev and Uman Nurmagomedov in their respective title bouts.
“The Eagle” Speaks Out
While Nurmagomedov has not officially commented on the incident, his frustration was evident during the interaction. “I just don’t understand why this happened,” he reportedly told onlookers before leaving the plane. Fellow passengers noted that the misunderstanding appeared to stem from communication challenges and a lack of clarity regarding the requirements for emergency row seating.
Travel Troubles Revisited
This is not the first time the former lightweight champion has faced travel-related issues in the United States. Nurmagomedov’s late father, Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, encountered significant visa challenges that prevented him from attending several of his son’s UFC fights. Reflecting on the ordeal in 2017, Khabib remarked, “He has a little bit problem, they cancel his visa. I don’t understand why. When I signed in 2012 to fight in the UFC, he could never come and support me because we had problems with the visa.”
The Road to UFC 311
Despite this setback, Nurmagomedov’s presence at UFC 311 remains crucial. “The Eagle” is set to corner Islam Makhachev in his lightweight title defense against Arman Tsarukyan. In addition, Uman Nurmagomedov will compete in a highly anticipated bantamweight title fight against Merab Dvalishvili.
Nurmagomedov’s role as a coach has been pivotal to the success of his Dagestani teammates, and his absence would undoubtedly be felt. Fans and fighters alike are hopeful he can secure alternative travel arrangements in time to be by their side during fight week.
A Lesson in Communication
This incident underscores the importance of clear communication in resolving disputes, especially in high-stress environments like air travel. While Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy as a fighter and coach remains untarnished, this unexpected conflict serves as a reminder that even the greatest champions are not immune to everyday challenges.
Khabib Nurmagomedov kicked off plane after dispute with flight crew
A flight attendant asked Khabib to confirm he could assist in an emergency for his exit row seat. Khabib didn’t understand initially, and despite eventually agreeing, the crew doubted his ability. After… pic.twitter.com/NHOXl74cna
— Best MMA Moments (@XcellentMMA) January 12, 2025
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