Another airline drama is making waves—and this time it involves a rising UFC name getting booted mid-trip.
Arman Tsarukyan found himself at the center of controversy after being removed from an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport.
According to reports, the situation unfolded on Flight 513 headed to Philadelphia. The plane had already begun the departure process when it suddenly returned to the gate due to a disturbance onboard. That disturbance? Tsarukyan and members of his group allegedly not following crew instructions.
One issue reportedly involved someone in his party using a phone during takeoff, while another person had their tray table down—both things flight crews routinely warn against during critical moments of the flight.
As Tsarukyan was being escorted off, he appeared confused about the reasoning, even questioning whether sitting in the wrong seat played a role.
“So I cannot fly because I was sitting in the wrong seat?” he could be heard saying.
The airline later confirmed the incident, stating that the aircraft returned to the gate because passengers refused to follow federal safety regulations. They emphasized that compliance with crew instructions—like staying seated and following takeoff rules—is non-negotiable.
Still, not everyone is buying that explanation.
The internet quickly lit up with reactions, with many pointing out that people use their phones during takeoff all the time without getting kicked off a flight. Others speculated there may have been more going on behind the scenes that wasn’t fully explained.
Some even joked about the bigger picture, noting how often MMA fighters seem to end up in viral airline incidents.
Despite the drama, Tsarukyan didn’t let it derail his plans. He later confirmed he still made it to Philadelphia—just not on that flight. Instead, he hopped on a private jet and even joked about the situation, saying he hoped he wouldn’t get kicked off that plane too.
No charges were filed, and the situation didn’t escalate beyond the removal. But it’s another headline-making moment that has people questioning where airlines draw the line—and whether those rules are enforced the same way for everyone.
