Arman Tsarukyan reveals the major step UFC took to make sure he ‘never hits a fan again’ after UFC 300

Arman Tsarukyan is now flanked by extra security to prevent his outpouring of fans from April.

The top lightweight prospect was suspended for nine months and fined $25,000 after he appeared to physically lunge at a fan during his walk to the octagon at UFC 300. He was on his way to meet former champion Charles Oliveira when he responded to a member of the crowd making rude gestures.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission was willing to reduce the suspension to six months if “Ahalkalakets” participated in an anti-bullying public service announcement. However, he opted to wait until UFC 311, which will arrive just after his suspension ends.

Arman Tsarukyan gets extra security from UFC after punching a fan during a strike

Just before his last fight, Arman Tsarukyan made headlines when he appeared to take a step back during his ring walk before throwing a punch at a fan. The person in the chair eventually apologized and insisted he would not pursue the matter further, but Dana White was unimpressed by his actions.

He is currently serving a suspension for the stunt and the UFC is now taking extra steps to ensure it doesn't happen again. In a recent vlog, Tsarukyan revealed to fans that they have hired a security guard to not only protect him from fans, but perhaps more importantly the other way around.

“Because I screw up every now and then, the UFC gave me a personal security guard,” he told the cameras during an episode of his vlog at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. “Look at this machine so I never touch a fan again. He will protect me, yes brother, you will protect me, right?”

Arman Tsarukyan provides an update on the fight talks against Islam Makhachev

Despite reports that talks for the UFC 311 main event between Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev had stalled, the challenger insists they are still ongoing. The lightweight title rematch was scheduled to take place on January 18 in California but has yet to be confirmed.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“My manager said I'm going to fight for the title early next year, I'm so excited,” the 22-3 Armenian told Caroline Pearce via TNT Sports. “Hopefully after this event they will officially announce when I will be fighting…

“But they already told me the place I'm going to fight and the day I'm going to fight – the UFC staff and bosses know, but I think it'll be official in a week… Hopefully we'll fight in January or February.”

Islam Makhachev's team downplays Arman Tsarukyan's fight talks

However, that is a very different tune to that of Islam Makhachev's manager, who claims they have not yet received a deal for the fight. With the fight just over a month away, the promotion is expected to launch soon, ideally in time for UFC 310 this weekend.

“No, the contracts have not been signed yet. Personally, we haven't signed or received anything yet, but we are preparing for January 18,” Makhachev's manager Rizvan Magomedov told Ushatayka. “We got this date in September.

“We accepted it and there was no specific confirmation about the opponent yet. We assume it will be Arman Tsarukyan.”

Related posts