Alaska Airlines faces controversy after UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov kicked off plane: ‘Shame on you’
Alaska Airlines has been criticized on social media after a video showed a prominent UFC fighter getting into an argument on board until he was escorted off the plane. Video shows Russian Hall of Fame athlete Khabib Numgomenov sitting in the exit row of a plane arguing with American Airlines staff.
Video of the incident, which reportedly took place at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, shows an employee telling the 36-year-old mixed martial arts athlete that he either had to change seats or get off the plane. “They feel uncomfortable with you sitting in the exit row,” the worker added.
“It’s not fair,” Nurgomedov, who was flying to Los Angeles, reportedly said, to which the worker responded: “It’s fair. Yes, it’s true.”
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Nugomedov explained that when he checked in, he was asked if he knew English and he said he did. The airline staff member responded, “I understand, but it’s not their judgment either. I’m not going to go back and forth like that. I’m going to call a supervisor.”
The employee reiterated that the athlete could choose a different seat on the plane, or that staff could “escort” him off the plane. “What are we doing?” she asked, before replying to Nurgomedov that they would have to rebook him on another flight.
On social media, people have been calling for Alaska Airlines to ask why he was removed from the plane. Many called for others to boycott the airline, with some claiming staff were profiling Nurgomedov, a Muslim.
“Why did you take Khabib off the plane? His fans need to know! I hope he sues you,” one Instagram user wrote in the airline’s latest post.
“You know who Khabib is? His legacy transcends that of the entire airline,” another person chimed in.
“Shame on you Alaska Airlines. We all boycott them,” one TikTok user added.
“What reason!? Because they don’t feel comfortable with him sitting by the window?” another questioned.
Nurgomedov and Alaska Airlines have not yet commented on the matter.
