VIDEO: Arman Tsarukyan punches fan during his UFC 300 entry

14 April 2024

Ahead of his highly anticipated showdown against Charles Oliveira in a UFC lightweight eliminator at UFC 300, Arman Tsarukyan found himself embroiled in controversy as he clashed with a fan during his walk to the Octagon.

Video footage captured the moment when Tsarukyan, moments before entering the Octagon to face Oliveira, appeared to engage in a physical altercation with a spectator. In the video, Tsarukyan is seen throwing punches at the individual before being swiftly intervened by a Nevada commissioner and other officials.

Despite the pre-fight drama, Tsarukyan managed to overcome a rocky start in the bout against Oliveira. In the opening round, Tsarukyan narrowly escaped Oliveira's rear-naked choke submission attempt before taking control of the fight in the subsequent rounds.

Utilizing his grappling skills, Tsarukyan executed a series of takedowns and delivered punishing strikes, including a brutal elbow that opened up Oliveira. Despite Oliveira's resilience and submission attempts, Tsarukyan maintained his composure and secured a split-decision victory.

The win marked Tsarukyan's fourth consecutive victory in the UFC, adding Oliveira to his list of defeated opponents, which includes Damir Ismagulov, Joaquim Silva, Beneil Dariush, and Mateusz Gamrot.

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With his impressive performance at UFC 300, Tsarukyan has positioned himself as a top contender in the UFC lightweight division. Speculation is rife that he may be next in line to challenge UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for the title, further solidifying his status as a rising star in the sport.