Khabib Nurmagomedov’s removal from a Frontier Airlines flight has sparked significant criticism, especially within the MMA community.
The retired UFC champion was deplaned following a disagreement with flight staff, surprising many given his composed reputation.
Addressing the incident on X (formerly Twitter), Nurmagomedov accused the crew of being “rude from the very beginning” and questioned whether the decision was based on language, race, or other factors.
The MMA fraternity and fans quickly came to Nurmagomedov’s defense, with prominent voices highlighting what they perceived as unfair treatment. UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad took a humorous yet pointed stance, tweeting, “He could’ve thrown everyone off the plane and flown it himself if he wanted.”
Former UFC referee and coach John McCarthy called for an apology, stating that Nurmagomedov was more than capable of assisting in an emergency. McCarthy insisted that the disrespected UFC legend deserved an apology.
Michael Chandler, another active MMA fighter, voiced his frustration over the incident, saying, “Can you imagine, an emergency happens on your plane and you would prefer a ‘perfect’ speaking human instead of one of the greatest athletes of all time because you’re ‘uncomfortable’ with his ability to speak English?”
UFC color commentator Laura Sanko echoed the sentiment, suggesting that Nurmagomedov’s calm and composed nature made him an ideal individual to rely on in such scenarios.
Others, including Khabib’s long-time MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz and fighter Mohammad Mokaev, criticized the airline for its handling of the situation. Mokaev expressed his disapproval bluntly, stating, “Piece of sh*t for doing that to him. I think he would help in the emergency more than most people on the plane.”
Abdelaziz shared his support for his long-time friend, sharing a reel of an Eagle atop an airplane. Khabib’s nickname during his active MMA career was ‘The Eagle.’
Not all reactions were serious, however. Fighter Colby Covington used the moment to take a jab at Nurmagomedov, questioning why the retired champion was flying economy.
Nurmagomedov’s coach Javier Mendez noted that the former champion handled the situation without complaints, maintaining his characteristic composure even in the face of public scrutiny. Speaking on his podcast, Mendez criticized Frontier Airlines for what he perceived was ‘disrespectful behavior’ towards his protege.
The incident has reignited discussions about discrimination and fairness against Muslim athletes, with fans and fighters alike rallying to support one of MMA’s most respected figures.
Responding to Khabib’s post on X, Frontier Airlines wrote: “We are aware of the incident and are investigating.”
