UFC star banned for NINE months for PUNCHING fan ahead of bout and risks missing out on title fight
ARMAN TSARUKYAN has been slapped with a NINE-MONTH ban for punching a fan at UFC 300.
The Armenian-born Russian went for the MMA fan as he made his way to the octagon for his clash with former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira in April.
Tsarukyan stunned fans in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena and the millions watching around the world by breaking his stride to fire a right hand at the punter.
UFC president Dana White expected the fan to take legal action against Tsarukyan, although he opted against doing so.
The Nevada Athletic State Commission, however, has opted to hit him with a nine-month suspension and a £19,700 fine.
Tsarukyan’s period of ineligibility could be reduced to six months if he completes an anti-bullying public service announcement.
And his management has revealed he plans to complete the PSA in order to rematch current lightweight champ Islam Makhachev in October.
His manager Danny Rubenstein said: “Arman appreciates the NSAC’s dealings in this matter and looks forward to working with the UFC and NSAC to produce an anti-bullying PSA to reduce his suspension.
“And competing for a UFC lightweight title before the end of the year.”
Despite the prospect of being slapped with a suspension and a fine – which were ultimately handed to him – Tsarukyan didn’t regret his actions.
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Recalling the incident, he said: “He showed me ‘F*** you.’
“And he wanted to punch me and I wanted to punch him back.
“That’s it. So guys, no one show me ‘F*** you.’
“It doesn’t matter who you are, I’m going to punch you in the face.
“You can show me ‘F***’ from like 200 metres, I’m not going to punch you.
“But when you’re close to me, it’s, like automatically, I’m from Russia.
“Don’t do that, please, or I’m going to go to prison in U.S.”
Inside McGregor's Notorious lifestyle
With more sides to his personality than an Octagon, Conor McGregor's rise has been an enthralling watch.
Going from UFC icon to entrepreneur and Hollywood star, the Irishman has transcended the sport he helped bring to the masses.
He has four children with fiancee Dee Devlin and the family enjoy a lavish lifestyle.
McGregor has not fought in UFC since breaking his leg in a trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
That has not stopped him amassing a net worth of over £150m thanks to his Proper No Twelve whiskey and fashion line.
And he is due to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 in an eagerly-awaited headline clash with Michael Chandler.
McGregor also starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the Amazon Prime remake of classic movie Road House, although he is dreading his mum seeing one X-rated scene.
Notorious turned up to the premiere in a £60,000 suit that was outdone by his £460k watch.
The only thing sharper than his fashion sense is his tongue and the Dubliner has several bitter spats under his belt, including with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
That row led to one of his biggest controversies in 2018 as he travelled 3,000 miles to confront Khabib in a vicious attack on his bus.
He pleaded guilty to assault after punching a man in a pub in 2018 and had his £150k Bentley seized by police for driving offences four years later.
Joe Rogan lashed out at McGregor in a four-letter outburst and the Irishman has also fired shots at Jake Paul, KSI and Tommy Fury.
Boxing great Floyd Mayweather also has McGregor on his enemy list after the pair clashed in a cross-sport bout in 2017.
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