A former UFC fighter, Khabib Nurmagomedov, was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight after a dispute with a flight attendant over a seat change. The incident occurred on a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles on Saturday.
According to eyewitness accounts, the dispute began when Nurmagomedov, a 36-year-old with an estimated net worth of $40 million, was asked to move to a different seat in an emergency exit row. Nurmagomedov, who speaks English, argued that he was capable of helping other passengers in an emergency and was not a threat. The flight attendant, however, insisted that he move or leave the plane.
Nurmagomedov claimed that the attendant was being rude and inhospitable, and that the real reason for the dispute was not his behavior, but rather his cultural background. He stated that he remained calm and respectful throughout the incident, despite the provocation.
After the dispute, a security officer was called, and Nurmagomedov was forced to leave the plane. In a social media post, he expressed disappointment and frustration with the incident, calling for more friendliness in customer service.
Frontier Airlines has confirmed the incident and stated that it is under investigation. The airline also offered Nurmagomedov a refund and will be in direct contact with him to resolve the matter.
Nurmagomedov, a three-time UFC champion, announced his retirement from mixed martial arts in 2020, with a perfect record of 29 wins and no losses, making him one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.