Khabib Nurmagomedov: Former UFC champion removed from plane after exit seat dispute

Former mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was escorted off the plane after he refused to move from the exit seat.

The 36-year-old Russian had an altercation with a flight attendant before taking off on the Frontier Airlines flight, which was reportedly flying from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.

In a video of the incident shared widely on social media on Sunday, Khabib is told to either vacate the seats or get off the plane and be booked on another flight.

When he questions why, the former undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion is told: “Because they (the flight attendants) are not comfortable with you sitting in the emergency exit row” and he replies “It’s not fair”.

Then he is warned again and the stewardess says that if he does not remove it she will call the supervisor.

Khabib responded that he would “like to sit here” before being asked to leave by another member of staff. He then calmly leaves the plane.

Khabib is considered one of the best MMA fighters of all time and has won all 29 of his UFC bouts, including defeating Conor McGregor in 2018.

In a statement on Also she insists on removing me from her seat.

“What his basis was, racial, national or other, I’m not sure.

“But after a 2-minute conversation, they called security and I was removed from this plane, (and later) I boarded another airline and flew to my destination.

“As you can see in the video, I tried my best to remain calm and respectful.

“But those crew members can perform better next time and treat customers well.”

Responding to Khabib’s post on Twitter, Frontier Airlines wrote: “We are aware of the incident and are investigating.”

BBC Sport has contacted the airline for further information.