Michael Chandler had been chasing a potential fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov for years, but he was removed from a plane over an issue over Nurmagomedov sitting in the exit row and is now defending the former UFC lightweight champion. are.
The controversy began after a video surfaced showing a flight attendant arguing with Nurmagomedov, who was seated in an exit row, over his ability to speak English. Despite Nurmagomedov explaining, “I know words…I know how to help people,” flight attendants insisted he move seats, and the airline said, “I know how to help people.” “I feel uncomfortable sitting down,” he added.
Chandler took to social media to accuse the airline, later identified as Frontier Airlines, of mistreating Nurmagomedov, particularly because of the language barrier.
“Can you imagine? There’s an emergency on your plane and you feel “uncomfortable” with his ability to speak English, so you don’t see one of the greatest athletes of all time, but a human being who can have a “perfect” conversation. (which is very good btw) This is weird,” Chandler wrote on Twitter.
“Not only was he the most physically fit person on the plane, but I’m sure his only qualification for a seat in the exit row was being able to say ‘yes’.”
After the incident became public, Nurmagomedov issued his own statement about the altercation, saying, “I tried my best to remain calm and respectful, as seen on the video, but that crew member could do better and treat their clients better.” ”
Can you imagine, there’s an emergency on your plane and you choose a “perfect” English speaking human being instead of one of the greatest athletes of all time because you feel “uncomfortable” with his ability to speak English? would prefer (which is very good, by the way) – this is strange. he…
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 13, 2025
To date, Frontier Airlines has not publicly addressed the situation.
Mr Chandler took things a step further, slamming the current “qualifications” required to sit in an exit row seat. The conditions are that passengers must have the physical ability to help other passengers in an emergency, and must be able to understand instructions and feelings of other passengers. Must be an adult.
“As a little accent, if you’re going to kick our goat off the plane, just say one syllable to the passenger: ‘Yes, yes,'” Chandler said. “I’ve seen slugs in the exit row of airplanes.”
As a side note, if we’re going to kick our goats off the plane, we’ll have the passengers take a physical and mental aptitude test before saying a single, one-syllable “Yes,” and then letting them sit in the exit row. please. ”I once saw a slug in the exit row, so…
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) January 13, 2025
The video caused a lot of outrage beyond Chandler’s complaints.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations issued its own statement condemning the airline’s actions, calling for an investigation and questioning “whether religious or racial profiling influenced his treatment.”
