Arman Tsarukyan was slapped with a nine-month suspension following an altercation with a fan at UFC 300.
According to a report from MMA Fighting, the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved an adjudication agreement with Tsarukyan suspended until Jan. 12, 2025. He was also hit with a $25,000 fine along with $471.12 in prosecution fees that must be paid.
He is eligible to have his suspension reduced to six months by participating in an anti-bullying PSA video.
The incident occurred as Tsarukyan was walking out for his main card clash with former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira at the landmark event in Las Vegas.
“He showed me ‘F*ck you’ and he wanted to punch me and I wanted to punch him back,” Tsarukyan said after the event. “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.”
https://x.com/DelinquentMMA/status/1779350078907470087
Addressing the incident during the UFC 300 post-fight press conference, CEO Dana White was certain that a lawsuit would be coming his way. However, the fan, later identified as Obed Ardon, had no intentions of bringing legal action against the promotion.
“I will not sue, that never crossed my mind,” Ardon told Bloody Elbow. “Thank you Uncle Dana for blessing us with an amazing 300 card… and can you bless me and my brothers up with tickets to UFC 303?
“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.”
Arman Tsarukyan Could Still Challenge Islam Makhachev for the Lightweight Title in Abu Dhabi This October
With his win over ‘Do Bronx’ in April, Arman Tsarukyan was all but guaranteed the next shot at reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev with the bout heavily rumored to headline the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi in October. With the nine-month suspension, ‘Ahalkalakets’ would no longer be eligible to compete for the remainder of 2025, unless he completes the approved anti-bullying message for the commission.
That would make him eligible to compete again by October 13—less than two weeks before the UFC’s return to Etihad Arena.
