Arman Tsarukyan punches a fan as he leaves the ring to fight Charles Oliveira 😅 pic.twitter.com/DMoX27o8H1
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch)
April 14, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan is facing sanctions after getting into an altercation with a fan during his exit at UFC 300.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced at its monthly meeting on Tuesday that Tsarukyan will be fined $25,000 and suspended for nine months for punching a fan on his way to the Octagon at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13. The suspension can be reduced to six months if Tsarukyan delivers an anti-bullying message approved by the NSAC.
Tsarukyan won his fourth consecutive title bout by defeating Charles Oliveira by split decision at UFC 300. Tsarukyan later claimed that a fan gave him the finger as he was leaving the ring, which led to his punch.
“He showed me the fuck you [flipped the bird] “He wanted to hit me and I wanted to hit him back, that’s it,” Tsarukyan said in his post-fight press conference. “So guys, don’t show me the f***. I’m gonna punch you in the face, whoever you are. If you show me the f*** from 200 meters away, I’m not gonna punch you. But if you come near me, automatically I’m Russian. Don’t do that or you’ll end up in an American prison.”
If Tsarukyan’s anti-bullying message is approved, he will be allowed to return to action on October 12. If not, he will be suspended until January 12, 2025. With this victory, Tsarukyan is expected to face Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title fight.
