Arman Tsarukyan got into it with a fan as he made his way to the UFC Octagon on Sunday night.
As the Armenian MMA star walked out for his lightweight bout with Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, the cameras caught him landing a punch on somebody in the crowd.
He was then seen lunging at another supporter moments later as Jon Anik said on commentary: “Couple of dust-ups there DC with fans.
“Looks like Arman Tsarukyan getting into it with somebody on the way in tonight.”
Daniel Cormier then added: “Yeah it’s crazy to see him do that.
“You want to be so locked in. That has to be something that matters to Arman, what happened to him on the way to the Octagon.”
Tsarukyan didn’t allow the altercation to get to him though as he went on to defeat the former UFC lightweight champion via split decision with two of the three judges scoring it 29-8 in his favour.
The victory puts him in a primed position to face Islam Makhachev for the 155lb belt.
Makhachev already holds a win over Tsarukyan from back in 2019 when the Russian got his hand raised over the distance.
However, Tsarukyan insists it will be different this time.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath, he said: “Hey, it was five years ago my short notice fight with Islam Makhachev.
“I gave him the toughest fight and the next fight I’m going to win just give me that opportunity.”
With that win, Tsaruykan moves to 22-3 overall and 9-2 in the UFC.
Besides the Makhachev defeat, the only other blemish on his record came against Mateusz Gamrot in 2022.
Oliveira was No.1 at lightweight heading into the contest while Tsarukyan was rated No.4.
When the UFC rankings are updated on Monday, ‘Akhalkalakets’ should be at the top of the pile.
News Summary:
- Arman Tsarukyan punches fan at UFC 300 as he walks out for Charles Oliveira clash
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