Arman Tsarukyan received a nine-month suspension and a $25,000 fine for punching a fan at UFC 300, which can be reduced to six months if he completes an anti-bullying PSA, potentially allowing him to compete for the lightweight title by the end of 2024.
Arman Tsarukyan was slapped with a nine-month suspension, which could be cut to six months. This followed an altercation with a fan at UFC 300.
On Tuesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved an agreement. Tsarukyan is suspended until Jan. 12, 2025, and fined $25,000 plus $471.12 in prosecution fees.
Due to the April incident, his purse was withheld. Once the fine is deducted from his paycheck, the remaining funds will be released per the commission’s agreement.
The scuffle happened as Tsarukyan walked to the cage for his fight against Charles Oliveira. A fan shouted at him from the crowd, leading to a physical confrontation.
“He showed me ‘F*ck you’ and he wanted to punch me,” Tsarukyan explained post-event. “I wanted to punch him back. That’s it.”
Arman Tsarukyan has been suspended for nine months for punching a fan at #UFC300 during his walkout.
On top of it he will be fined $25k.
If he does an anti-bullying PSA video his suspension will be reduced to six months.
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) June 25, 2024
The nine-month suspension means no fights for Tsarukyan in 2024. This could derail plans for a lightweight title bout against Islam Makhachev in Abu Dhabi this October.
Good news? His suspension can be reduced to six months if he completes an anti-bullying PSA video. That would allow him to fight by Oct. 13, just in time for the UFC event on Oct. 26.
The commission voted unanimously on this measure.
Tsarukyan’s manager Daniel Rubenstein confirmed that Arman plans on doing the PSA video. They hope he’ll compete for the lightweight title before year-end.
“Arman appreciates the NSAC’s dealings in this matter,” Rubenstein wrote. “He looks forward to working with UFC and NSAC on an anti-bullying PSA.”
Before closing proceedings, Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Dallas Haun issued a stern warning: This adjudication agreement is a one-time offer. Future altercations with fans will face harsher penalties.