Yesterday marked a regrettable moment in the MMA community when UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, traveling to California to support his teammates Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov in their title bouts at UFC 311, encountered an unfortunate incident. While seated near the emergency exit, a flight crewmember requested that ‘The Eagle’ change seats, mistakenly assuming his limited English skills were due to his Dagestani background.

The situation quickly escalated as per the airline’s protocol, with Nurmagomedov, who has spent over a decade training in the U.S., attempting to clarify that he was fluent in English. Despite his attempts, airline personnel removed him from the plane disrespectfully. Fellow passengers captured the incident and rapidly went viral, sparking widespread support for ‘The Eagle’ within the sports world. Fans and key figures from various sectors began questioning whether the airline’s actions were driven by racism or simply following protocol. The ensuing social media backlash became a global discussion.

Among those expressing support was the internet personality Hasbulla, a close associate of ‘Team Khabib’, who sharply criticized Frontier Airlines. Hasbulla called for a “Boycott Organization” and urged recognition of  ‘The Eagle’s’ accomplishments, stating, “We also need to celebrate the victory with them @pobeda_aero,” showing solidarity with Khabib. This wave of support was further amplified by the Dagestani juggernaut and surging 185fer Sharaputdin Magomedov.

‘Bullet’ praised Khabib Nurmagomedov’s composed handling of the situation, despite being mistreated. Shara remarked, “Big respect to Khabib. He never once said ‘do you know who I am?’ and handled the situation with maturity, standing his ground with good manners.” All this while, Frontier Airlines is yet to issue an apology with ‘Team Khabib’ patiently waiting for one.

The support for ‘The Eagle’ has not only come from his fans but also from unexpected quarters. A fellow 155fer who is not a member of ‘Team Khabib’ has stepped forward to issue a statement to Frontier Airlines. Stay tuned to discover who it is.

Michael Chandler backs Khabib Nurmagomedov amidst airline controversy

Khabib Nurmagomedov and his team have consistently criticized Michael Chandler, particularly since Chandler sought a highly anticipated fight with UFC megastar and Khabib’s arch-nemesis, Conor McGregor, who has been on hiatus for the past four years. Chandler, eager for the “red p-nty night,” spent over 18 months preparing for the fight, but it never materialized.

Nurmagomedov’s team even labeled Chandler as “Hachiko” referring to the loyal dog of its master, which only deepened the rift between Chandler and ‘Team Khabib’. Despite this, the American has always expressed respect for ‘The Eagle’. Following the viral video of Khabib’s verbal confrontation with Frontier Airlines, Chandler took to X to issue a statement.

The Missouri native wrote, “If you’re going to kick our GOAT off the plane for a little accent, please start making passengers do a physical and mental fitness aptitude test before allowing them to sit in the exit row after uttering a one-word, one-syllable ‘yes.’ Because I’ve seen some slugs in the exit row on flights.”