- Arman Tsarukyan punched a fan on his walk to face Charles Oliveira at UFC 300
- Nevada State Athletic Commission have withheld portion of his pay for fight
- Tsaukyan said: ‘I’m from Russia. Don’t do that, please. I’ll go to prison in the US.’
Arman Tsarukyan has lost out on £28,400 for punching a fan en route to the octagon for his fight with Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.
The Russian, who beat his Brazilian opponent to move into title contention, hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after the huge fight in Las Vegas.
He was filmed on the cage walk when one of the crowd shouted something at him from close proximity.
Tsarukyan reacted instantly and tried to punch the spectator, throwing a right hand over the barrier before continuing on to the cage.
Now, the Nevada State Athletic Commission have withheld 20 per cent of his £126,000 earnings from the fight.
Arman Tsarukyan punched a fan on the way to his fight at UFC 300 in Las Vegas
Tsarukyan says if a fan offends him that close he will punch them without remorse
There will be a disciplinary hearing in May so the amount could yet change, but the commission noted that the fan in question did not want to press charges.
After the incident, Tsarukyan was asked about it and was not remorseful, doubling down on his actions.
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 meters, 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 US.’
Further punishment in the form of a fine could come Tsarukyan’s way when the NSAC review further footage and make their judgements at the next meeting.
When Dana White was asked about it, he said the fan should not be surprised by the reaction of the fighter.
Tsarukyan came through with a win over Charles Oliveira on the historic card
He said: ‘You might not wanna hang over the thing and grab people as they are walking out.
‘These guys are all f***ing hyped up and whatever. We are probably going to get sued, we’ll deal with that on Monday too.’
Tsarukyan was not the only fighter to keep the NSAC busy after UFC 300.
Diego Lopes also had £4000 of his purse withheld after he jumped over the cage following victory, which competitors are forbidden from doing.
