MMA fighter Aaron “Tex” Johnson was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight at New York’s LaGuardia Airport on Monday, July 21, after a heated confrontation with passengers and flight crew escalated into what the airline described as “belligerent and unruly” behavior.
Video footage captured by a fellow passenger shows Johnson, 39, in a fiery exchange with Southwest flight attendants as he was asked to leave the aircraft before takeoff. The altercation appeared to intensify when Johnson retrieved his bag from the overhead bin and walked toward the front of the plane.
In the clip, Johnson can be heard shouting “assault” and “abuse” while warning a flight attendant not to touch him. His outburst prompted crew members to remove him from the flight.
A spokesperson for Southwest Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that the airline does not tolerate such behavior. “The customer became belligerent and unruly prior to departure, and our crew requested assistance,” the spokesperson said.
Following his removal, Johnson continued his outburst inside the airport. In a second video, he is seen restrained on a stretcher, yelling profanities.
“Bulls***! I’m getting treated like a black person right now!” he shouted, as officers from the Port Authority restrained him. Authorities later confirmed that Johnson was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and issued a disorderly conduct summons.
Responding to questions from a follower on Instagram days later, Johnson suggested the incident was sparked by confusion over a bag. “Something about a bag that I didn’t agree with a bunch of peanut gallery people yelling first,” he wrote.
Johnson is known in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community as a three-time IBJJF Pan American No-Gi Champion. His professional MMA record stands at 13 wins, 10 losses, and one no-contest.
Watch the video below…………………………………………….
This man had a full-blown meltdown at the airport while strapped to a stretcher, then shouted:
“I’m getting treated like a black person right now” pic.twitter.com/SjlXAlypSJ
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) July 23, 2025
