Arman Tsarukyan could be in some hot water after taking a swing at a fan.
‘Ahalkalakets’ returned to the Octagon on April 13 for a high-stakes scrap with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. As Tsarukyan was making his way to the cage for the main card clash, he attempted to attack a fan seated near the entryway, throwing a punch before being pulled away by one of the security team members.
From this angle it seems like the fan showed Arman Tsarukyan the middle finger, and Arman wasn’t having any of it 😭
🎥 IG / mma_tm #UFC300 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/jQ1JYhL5pR
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 14, 2024
“He showed me ‘F*ck you’ and he wanted to punch me and I wanted to punch him back,” Tsarukyan explained at the post-fight press conference. “That’s it. So guys, no one show me ‘F*ck you.’ It doesn’t matter who you are, I’m going to punch you in the face.”
Tsarukyan is now facing disciplinary action as a result. According to a report from Nolan King of MMA Junkie, the Nevada State Athletic Commission voted to withhold 20% of Tsarukyan’s $158,000 fight purse, which amounts to $31,600.
A full disciplinary hearing will be held in May to determine what consequences, if any, Tsarukyan will face.
The NSAC has officially voted to withhold a portion of Arman Tsarukyan's #UFC300 purse in the amount of $31,600 (20 percent of $158,000) after he swiped at a fan. A formal hearing will be scheduled for May's meeting.
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 30, 2024
The fan, identified as Obed Ardon, issued a formal apology to Tsarukyan during an interview with Bloody Elbow.
“I’d like to apologize to Arman for provoking him by flipping him off. I was buzzing all day and the moment got to me,” he said.
“It was my first time attending a live UFC event, and it was absolutely incredible. I’m glad the incident wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I do want to make clear that I didn’t pull him towards me, yell out offensive words or anything of that nature. I flipped him off nothing else. Congrats to Arman on a great performance and best of luck to him against whoever he fights for the title.”
Ardon also made it clear that he has no intention of pressing charges against Tsarukyan or seeking legal action against the promotion.
Arman Tsarukyan Isn’t the Only Fighter Facing Disciplinary Action from the NSAC Following UFC 300
Tsarukyan isn’t the only fighter facing a slap on the wrist from the NSAC following the promotion’s landmark event in Las Vegas.
Immediately following his first-round knockout of Sodiq Yusuff during the preliminary portion of the card, Diego Lopes lept over the cage wall after being specifically told not to. $5,000 of his $100,000 fight purse is now being withheld ahead of his own hearing with the commission.
According to NSAC executive director Jeff Mullin, Lopes received permission from UFC CEO Dana White to hop the fence following his highlight-reel finish, adding that White stated he would pay the fine on Lopes’ behalf.
Nevada has voted to withhold $5,000 (of his $100,000), from Diego Lopes for hopping the fence after his #UFC300 win.
According to executive director Jeff Mullen, he saw UFC CEO Dana White signal approval for Lopes to make the hop and White then told Mullen he'd cover the fine. https://t.co/bEPd1Hm2Ie
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) April 30, 2024
