UFC CEO Dana White is not happy with Frontier Airlines after former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from one of their flights. The incident, which occurred during a trip from Las Vegas to San Francisco, raised eyebrows when Khabib chose to leave the plane after a disagreement over his seating in the emergency exit row.
Dana White Has Strong Words for Frontier Airlines
Khabib was seated in the emergency exit row, where passengers must agree to assist during emergencies. Although he reportedly confirmed multiple times that he would comply, airline staff insisted he either move or leave the plane. Faced with limited options, Khabib exited, and a video of the scene went viral.
White, known for his unfiltered opinions, couldn’t understand why Khabib was even on a budget airline.
“What the f*ck is he doing on Frontier Airlines anyway?” White questioned. “This kid’s got more money than anybody but that’s how humble he is. He’s flying on that piece of shit airline. What does he expect?”
Khabib, who retired from MMA with a perfect 29-0 record in 2020, now coaches top-tier fighters like lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Both are headlining UFC 311, and White pointed out that Khabib’s leadership and calm demeanor make him the ideal candidate for an emergency row seat.
“That’s how dumb they are on Frontier Airlines,” White said. “If there’s anybody you want in that position, it’s Khabib Nurmagomedov. Good job, Frontier Airlines.”
Dana White goes OFF on Frontier Airlines, but also doesn’t know why Khabib was flying Frontier in the first place 😭😭
“[Khabib’s] got more money than anybody, that’s how humble he is. He’s flying on that piece of sh*t airline.”
🎥 @PardonMyTake #UFCpic.twitter.com/y3jrz1yJtQ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 15, 2025
White’s Advice for Khabib’s Travel Plans
White also joked about Khabib’s choice to fly commercial.
“Khabib shouldn’t even know what the f*ck Frontier Airlines is just like most people don’t. He’s got plenty of money,” White said.
The UFC CEO went a step further, suggesting it’s time Khabib learned to travel in style.
“I don’t know what you have to do to get kicked off Frontier Airlines. But listen, Khabib doesn’t fight anymore because he’s got shitloads of money. I’ve got to teach Khabib how to charter a plane, especially if you’re just going from Vegas to San Francisco.”
As the dust settles, the incident highlights both Khabib’s humility and the controversy surrounding Frontier Airlines’ policies. White’s fiery comments continue to fuel the discussion, blending humor with critique over the unusual situation.
