Yesterday, Khabib Nurmagomedov took to X to express his frustration over an incident he described as discriminatory while traveling on a Frontier Airlines flight. In his post, ‘The Eagle’ stated, “The lady who came to me with questions was very rude from the beginning. Even though I speak very decent English and can understand everything, and I agreed to assist, she still insisted on removing me from my seat.”

The incident, which occurred this past Sunday, involved Nurmagomedov being seated in an emergency exit row and subsequently getting into a disagreement with a flight attendant. Reports suggest that the crew, based on assumptions tied to his Dagestani background, questioned his ability to assist in the event of an emergency. Despite video evidence showing ‘The Eagle’ responding calmly, airline staff removed him from the flight.

The sports world quickly rallied behind the UFC legend, with fans and fellow athletes expressing outrage at Frontier Airlines’ actions. The airline’s social media platforms have since been inundated with criticism, with many calling for an official apology or at least a clearer response to the growing controversy. In light of the backlash, Jennifer de la Cruz, Senior Director of Communications at Frontier Airlines, released a statement addressing the matter. The statement read:

“On Jan. 11, 2025, as Flight 4401 from Las Vegas to San Francisco was preparing for departure, a flight attendant initiated the customary briefing for exit row passengers. Customer Khabib Nurmagomedov, who was seated in an exit row, was asked multiple times if he was willing and able to assist in the event of an emergency. According to the flight attendant, Mr. Nurmagomedov did not respond, despite repeated attempts, which placed him in non-compliance with FAA requirements. As a result, he was asked to move to a different upgraded seat, which he refused to do. Therefore, in accordance with airline and FAA policy, he was asked to deplane. The decision to deplane the customer was in no way related to his ethnicity, and we have refunded him and his traveling companions for their flights.”

Frontier Airlines’ standard procedure asks passengers seated near the emergency exit if they can assist in an emergency. Despite Nurmagomedov’s clear command of English, it seems he did not fully grasp the flight attendant’s request, leading to a misunderstanding. While the Dagestani native remained composed, the flight attendant’s rude behavior exacerbated the situation, fueling frustration among fans and intensifying the controversy surrounding the incident.

Fellow Dagestani praises Khabib Nurmagomedov’s “Good Manners” during airline controversy

“I want to stay humble, but I have to speak because the others talk too much,” said Khabib Nurmagomedov once, who is known for his calm demeanor, grounded personality, and belief in letting actions speak louder than words. Despite his philosophy, ‘The Eagle’ seldom responds with hostility, even when rivals like Conor McGregor take shots at him.

Instead, Khabib Nurmagomedov trusts in karma and takes a more silent, composed approach. This was evident when Khabib found himself in a dispute with flight crew members over their racial mistreatment of him. Throughout the exchange, the Dagestani remained calm and steadfast, which earned him praise from many. When the video of the incident went viral, ‘The Eagle’ took to social media to share his perspective, including a photo of his ticket.

Sharaputdin Magomedov, a fellow Dagestani fighter in the UFC middleweight division, was quick to commend Khabib’s reaction. On ‘The Eagle’s’ Instagram post, he wrote, “Big respect to Khabib. Bro never once said ‘Do you know who I am?’ and handled the situation with maturity, standing his ground with good manners despite being mistreated. It was clear profiling, yet you remained composed and inspiring.”

What’s your opinion on Frontier Airlines’ recent response? Do you think clarifying the situation without offering an apology will be enough to appease the fans? Given that the video has already gone viral and shows the staff’s inappropriate behavior, it’s clear that their actions were out of line. Share your thoughts below.