Dana White alerted as Khabib Nurmagomedov faces ’emergency exit’ situation again on airplane 

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov tags Dana White on his Instagram story, reminding him of his airplane incident.

Dana White alerted as Khabib Nurmagomedov faces ’emergency exit’ situation again on airplane 

Khabib Nurmagomedov mentions Dana White as he puts himself in a similar controversial situation (via Imago/X)

Khabib Nurmagomedov remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars – known for his dominance and undefeated record of 29 professional wins. He ruled the lightweight division with unmatched wrestling, defeating top contenders with ease and never losing a single round in many fights. However, his biggest challenge on American soil has been the domestic flights and exit doors. 

Nurmagomedov built a strong bond with CEO Dana White, and their friendship continues with mutual respect and shared humor today. Recently, the retired fighter shared an image of him sitting at the exit door, tagging White humorously in an Instagram story. It was referenced to an incident that took place a few months ago, where Nurmagomedov was kicked out of an airplane.

Why do they always put me in this place? @danawhite

Khabib Nurmagomedov via Instagram 

In the viral incident, Nurmagomedov was reportedly removed from an airplane before takeoff due to a seating disagreement. The issue allegedly arose when Nurmagomedov was requested to change seats, leading to a misunderstanding with the airline crew on board. Despite attempts to clarify the situation, the former champion was eventually asked to leave the plane, surprising the MMA community.

The incident quickly circulated online, with many from the UFC roster defending Nurmagomedov and criticizing the airline for overreacting. Following the incident, Joe Rogan criticized Frontier Airlines for removing the most qualified person to handle a potential emergency situation. Dana White slammed the airlines for their ‘stupidity’ and questioned Nurmagomedov’s decision to travel in such an average airplane company.

Many viral videos suggested that Nurmagomedov was calm and didn’t create a ruckus when escorted out. He later made a post in which he accused the airplane service of discrimination, which caught the attention of many. Frontier Airlines also responded back but it was mostly welcomed with a backlash from Nurmagomedov’s fans worldwide.

Dana White speaks on Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement 

Unlike most fighters, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired undefeated and at the top of his game,  defending his title three consecutive times. At UFC 229, he defeated Conor McGregor by submission in round four, generating a record 2.4 million pay-per-view sales. He later defended his title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 242 and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, both by submission victories.

Khabib Nurmagomedov's legendary success
Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legendary success (via X)

Following his father Abdulmanap’s death from COVID-19 complications, Nurmagomedov promised his mother he would no longer fight without his father. He announced his retirement in the octagon after UFC 254, and the UFC honored him as the pound-for-pound king. However, his ending was disappointing for his fans as well as Dana White, who later admitted to the massive loss. 

The toughest retirement for me? Khabib, was a tough retirement. Because usually when it’s time for time to retire, I’m happy for them. It’s over you have accomplished everything that you can possibly accomplish, why keep doing this? Khabib had so much more to offer and so much more to accomplish but I think when his dad passed away, he was done plus he made so much f***** money, he never has to do anything ever again.

Dana White said via Theo Von’s Podcast

Nurmagomedov received luxury gifts and honors from Vladimir Putin after defeating McGregor, including lands and financial rewards. He also gained significant financial backing and investments from Saudi Arabia, supporting his training camps, business ventures, and coaching academy. These recognitions reflect his status as a national hero and respected figure in both Russia and the Middle East.

Since retiring, Khabib Nurmagomedov has dedicated himself fully to coaching, carrying forward his father’s legacy in mixed martial arts. He trains elite fighters like Islam Makhachev, who became UFC lightweight champion, crediting Nurmagomedov’s mentorship for his rise to greatness. Usman Nurmagomedov, Khabib’s cousin, remains the undefeated champion in the PFL, showcasing the same discipline taught by the ‘Eagle’ himself.