A fan who splashed over $2,500 on a cageside ticket for UFC 300 on Saturday night has spoke to Bloody Elbow to address an altercation with Arman Tsarukyan during the lightweight contender’s walkout.
Tsarukyan picked up a massive win over former world champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300, but had achieved viral success before even stepping foot in the octagon. While walking to the cage, it appeared that he had punched a rowdy crowd member, although it’s unclear if anything landed.
Dana White joked after the fact that the promotion were “probably going to get sued” this week after the incident, while also warning fans from future stunts.
But Bloody Elbow spoke to the fan, who has been identified as Obed Ardon, to get his say on both the incident with Tsarukyan and White’s comments.
Arman Tsarukyan lashed out at a fan ahead of his fight at UFC 300
With moments to go until the fight of his life, Tsarukyan appeared agitated by a number of fans hanging over the railings at the T-Mobile Arena, and punched in the direction of one – although it is unclear if he landed anything significant.
Fans viewed the video in massive numbers across social media, and now the man he swung towards has apologised to the fighter.
In a statement to Bloody Elbow, Ardon said: “I’d like to apologize to Arman for provoking him by flipping him off. I was buzzing all day and the moment got to me.
“It was my first time attending a live UFC event and it was absolutely incredible. I’m glad the incident wasn’t as bad as it could have been. I do want to make clear that I didn’t pull him towards me, yell out offensive words or anything of that nature. I flipped him off nothing else. Congrats to Arman on a great performance and best of luck to him against whoever he fights for the title.”
Ardon had an expensive ticket for Floor H at the T Mobile arena, and was attending the event with his brother.
“My first thought was I hope I don’t get kicked out”
Speaking to the media at the UFC 300 post-fight press conference, White said: “Yeah, you might not want to hang over things and grab people when they’re walking out. These guys are all f***** hyped up and whatever, I’m sure we’re probably going to get sued but we’ll deal with that on Monday too.”
Tsarukyan was also questioned about the fan incident at his post-fight press conference, and admitted that the heat of the moment had gotten the better of him after an expletive was shouted in his direction by the fan.
“I’m from Russia, don’t do that please or I’m going to go to prison in the US,” he replied. “He showed me that he wanted to f**** punch me, and I wanted to punch him back, that’s it. No one shows me ‘f*** you’ [like that] it doesn’t matter who you are, I’m going to punch you in the face.”
At the time of writing, Ardon wanted to address White’s comments directly by adding:
“To answer Dana White’s comments about suing: I will not sue, that never crossed my mind. My first thought was I hope I don’t get kicked out. Thank you Uncle Dana for blessing us with an amazing 300 card… and can you bless me and my brothers up with tickets to UFC 303?”