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UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov had some issues heading to Los Angeles to support Islam Makhachev. On Sunday morning, a video shows Nurmagomedov being escorted off an Alaska Air flight due to a dispute with airline staff while taking off from Las Vegas to Los Angeles for UFC 311.
Apparently, the flight attendant wasn’t comfortable with Nurmagomedov’s English when he was asked if he could assist other passengers in an emergency due to the fact that he was seated next to an emergency exit.
“I know the language,” Nurmagomedov was heard saying in the video. “I know how to help people.”
“It’s not about the language,” the flight attendant responded.
The attendant asked Nurmagomedov to switch his seat, but he refused. “It’s not fair” said the former UFC champion.
Eventually, Nurmagomedov was escorted off the plane.
A video of retired UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov being escorted off an Alaska Airlines flight has gone viral.
It appears staff reported feeling ‘uncomfortable’ with his apparent grasp of English as he sat in an exit row seat where he would need to assist in an emergency. pic.twitter.com/Bf7S7jLji6
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 12, 2025
Fans called out Alaska Air for racially profiling Nurmagomedov, who is considered one of the most famous muslim men in the world.
The disrespect to a reputable sportsperson to this depth speaks a lot… https://t.co/naZCMV5YLt
— Hamzah Latif (@HamzahLatif_) January 12, 2025
Khabib removed from a plane? It seems even one of the most famous Muslims in the world couldn’t escape racial profiling in America. It doesn’t matter what “status” you have. https://t.co/8kiB2y55Tu
— EXSports (@EXSportsLV) January 12, 2025