A large number of UFC fans and of course his personal friends and family were surprised by the news that former fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov had been kicked off a flight that was first leaked to be with Alaska Airlines, but was eventually revealed to be with Fly Frontier
According to those close to the native of Sidi, now the Republic of Dagestan, ‘The Eagle’ is one of the most respectful people they have ever met, so seeing him involved in a problem on board a plane is one of those facts that they never imagined facing.
What happened to Khabib on the Fly Frontier flight?
It all started when Khabib boarded a flight with the airline that was presumably destined for California, where on January 18 UFC 311 will take place, in which his cousin Umar Nurmagomedov is participating
It all apparently stemmed from a misunderstanding between the former fighter and a crew member, who asked him if he could be helpful in assisting other passengers in the event of an emergency, as his seat was in one of the aircraft’s emergency exits. Although Khabib is fluent in English, he may have given him an answer that was not to his liking, and decided to offer him another seat, which the former fighter did not accept, so he was escorted outside the plane, not without first saying that he was the victim of an injustice. The matter was described by public opinion as ‘racially tinged’.
Reactions: one lightly and one worrying
The reactions were not long in coming, and Colby Covington took it lightly by questioning Khabib on his X account: “Brother, why are you flying economy class and on Alaska Airlines, brother?” But another reaction was the one that worried many, because of its radicalism and dangerous language, that of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who is a personal friend of Khabib: “He could have thrown everyone off the plane and flown it himself if he wanted to”.
Khabib clarified how the events unfolded with his characteristic respect: “The lady who approached me with questions was very rude from the beginning, even though I speak English very well and can understand everything and agreed to help, she insists on taking me out of my seat. What was the basis for that, racial, national or otherwise? I’m not sure (…) I did my best to stay calm and be respectful, as you can see in the video“.