Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov revealed in a recent podcast that he was removed from a US flight during a trip to San Francisco because of his Pakistani food obsession.
Khabib, known for his undefeated MMA career and love of food, said he booked a cheap economy flight just to get his favorite Pakistani restaurant, Chutni before closing time.
“They close around 9 or 10 pm, so I had to take that flight even though my friend wasn’t happy about it,” he said, laughing.
But things took a turn mid-flight.
Khabib recalled an argument with the cabin crew, where he requested to remain in an exit row seat he had chosen for comfort. He claimed he told the crew he knew the language and could operate the emergency exit if needed.
However, the airline staff reportedly asked him to change seats, citing his poor English as the reason. When Khabib refused, security was called, and he was removed from the flight.
The incident sparked outrage on social media at the time, with some accusing the airline of racism and unfair treatment. Khabib himself refrained from using that term, instead calling the crew “rude” and urging airlines to treat passengers with kindness and respect.
Khabib also clarified that Chutni which he’s visited regularly since 2012 is an Indian-Pakistani fusion restaurant, and he proudly declared his love for Pakistani cuisine, calling it his favorite traditional food.
