Official statement or press release from Alaska Airlines

Khabib Nurmagomedov Removed from Flight Amid Racial Profiling Accusations, CAIR Calls for Probe

Jan 12, 2025, 03:00 PM

Khabib Nurmagomedov, a retired UFC lightweight champion, was removed from an Alaska Airlines flight following a dispute over his seating in an emergency exit row. The incident occurred on a flight from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, ahead of UFC 311. Nurmagomedov was asked to switch seats due to concerns from the flight crew about his English-speaking skills and ability to assist passengers in an emergency, which he contested, leading to his removal from the plane. The situation has sparked accusations of racial and religious profiling, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) calling for an investigation into the incident. Nurmagomedov was likely traveling to support teammates Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov at the upcoming UFC 311 event.