Ex-MMA fighter subdues unruly passenger on Frontier flight to Chicago

A former professional MMA fighter from Chicago subdued an unruly passenger who tried to open an exit door on a Frontier Airlines flight headed to O'Hare International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Frontier Airlines Flight 3345 from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to O'Hare was diverted to Miami after the crew reported a passenger disturbance. The flight landed safely at Miami International Airport around 11:55 p.m. ET.

Miami-Dade Sheriff's police arrested 51-year-old Juan Reyes after the plane landed. He is accused of choking an off-duty flight attendant, trying to open an exit door, attempting to break into the cockpit and trying to urinate on the bathroom floor.

Frontier Airlines said law enforcement removed the passenger in Miami and the flight continued to Chicago a few hours later.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said flight attendants and passengers reported that Reyes tried to open the exit doors while in flight because he wanted to get off the plane. Flight attendants told him to sit down, but he went to the front of the plane and tried to enter the cockpit.

Flight attendants tried several times to return him to his seat. An off-duty flight attendant volunteered to sit in his row. When the off-duty attendant got up to use the bathroom, Reyes tried to grab his bag. When told not to touch the belongings, Reyes attacked the off-duty attendant and tried to choke him, police said. Other passengers restrained him.

John Longood, a former professional mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian jujitsu black belt from Chicago, was seated nearby. He said he stayed in place when others moved away.

"I just didn't want anyone to get hurt. So, you know, it was my duty to do that," Longood told CBS News Chicago. "I could tell he was heavily intoxicated, and who knows what else."

Longood said he grabbed Reyes and restrained him as safely as possible, laying him down in his row and controlling his hands and feet.

Reyes later slipped the plastic hand restraints. Longood said he tied Reyes's legs with his own legs and held him down until the plane landed in Miami.

"I was joking with him. I was like, 'We are going to be best friends after this, bro,'" Longood said.

Longood said he would act the same way if the situation happened again. He said this was the first time he had used his training outside the mat.

The FAA has investigated 687 unruly passenger reports so far this year. CBS News transportation expert Robert Sumwalt said it is nearly impossible to open a plane's emergency exit at cruising altitude because of cabin pressure.

Reyes was charged with one misdemeanor count of battery. He could also face FAA fines of more than $40,000. The FBI is investigating.