Khabib Nurmagomedov issues statement on air dispute incident

Khabib Nurmagomedov has released a statement regarding viral footage showing the UFC legend being removed from a plane after a verbal argument with a flight attendant.

In a clip posted on social media on Sunday, Nurmagomedov was seen exiting a plane after an attendant asked him to change seats. The 36-year-old retiree protested the request, which appeared to concern his ability to communicate in English in an emergency. Nurmagomedov repeatedly told the attendant that the situation was “not fair,” but he ultimately acquiesced.

Nurmagomedov released a statement regarding the incident, which can be viewed below.

First of all, I should clarify that this was (Frontier Airlines) and not Alaska Air.

The lady who came to ask me questions was very rude from the start, even though I speak English very well, understand everything and agreed to help me, she still insists on removing me from my seat. What the basis for this was, racial, national or otherwise, I’m not sure.

But after 2 minutes of talking she called security and I was taken off that plane, after (an hour and a half) I boarded another airline and left for my destination.

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

But these crew members could do better next time and just be nice to customers.

Initially, it was reported that Alaska Airlines was the organization in question, but Nurmagomedov said he was actually on a Frontier Airlines flight. He added that he felt he handled the conversation in a civil manner, but that the flight attendant was “very rude” and he questioned whether the incident was motivated by “racial” or “national” bias. .

According to Nurmagomedov, he boarded a flight with another airline 90 minutes later.

“These team members could do better next time and just be nice to customers,” he said at the end of his message.

Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, also released a statement to MMA Fighting, saying: “Some things may happen to you in a negative way, but Khabib always comes out on top because of his manners and class. It’s who he is as a human being.

Following news of the incident becoming widespread, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a statement in support of Nurmagomedov demanding an investigation into the airline’s policies and conduct. CAIR also incorrectly identified Alaska Airlines as the organization in question.

Nurmagomedov is expected to corner teammates Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov in their title fights at UFC 311 this Saturday in Los Angeles. Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event, and Umar Nurmagomedov challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in the co-main event.

Damon Martin contributed to this report.