Arman Tsarukyan to participate in anti-bullying campaign to reduce ban by three months after punching fan inside UFC arena
It appears as though Arman Tsarukyan will in fact be participating in an anti-bullying campaign to reduce his suspension. The lightweight contender was handed a nine-month suspension as well as a $25,000 fine for punching a fan during his walkout at UFC 300.
As part of the suspension, the 27-year-old was given the option to produce a video for an anti-bullying campaign that would reduce his suspension to six months. The retroactive suspension would end on Oct.12 if he participates in the video and on Jan.12, 2025, if he declined.
Red Corner MMA tweeted a statement from the No.1 lightweight's manager, who confirmed that his client will be participating in the anti-bullying campaign. By participating, Tsarukyan will be eligible to return for UFC 308, where he is hoping to challenge Islam Makhachev for his lightweight championship. They wrote:
"According to @ArmanUfc's manager Sayat Abdrakhmanov, his client will take part in a Nevada State Athletic Commission anti-bullying campaign to have his 9-month ban reduced to 6 months...The reduced ban will allow him to compete from October 13. Is Arman aiming to fight in Abu Dhabi on October 26?"
Check out Red Corner MMA's tweets regarding Arman Tsarukyan below:
![Red Corner MMA's tweet regarding Tsarukyan's suspension [Image courtesy: @RedCorner_MMA - X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/919a2-17194207563936-1920.jpg?w=500)
How did Arman Tsarukyan react to Islam Makhachev's title defense against Dustin Poirier?
Based on the aforementioned agreement, Arman Tsarukyan clearly has his sights set on challenging Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title when the promotion returns to Abu Dhabi for UFC 308 this coming October.
Following Makhachev's submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 earlier this month, Tsarukyan took to his X account to remind him that he's the next challenger. He took a jibe at the Dagestani for expressing interest in moving to welterweight and suggested that he put those plans on hold until they compete in a rematch. He wrote:
"Congrats to Islam! But don't try to run away to another division. You've only defended your title once against a real lightweight, and I'm next in line"
Check out Arman Tsarukyan's tweet below:
![Tsarukyan's tweet regarding Makhachev [Image courtesy: @ArmanUfc - X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/4124b-17194217791956-1920.jpg)