Dustin Poirier scolds fan who got swung at by Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 after Chael Sonnen hails him as "a hero"

Dustin Poirier has put forth his take regarding the MMA fan who was on the receiving end of a punch from Arman Tsarukyan. While MMA fighter-turned-analyst Chael Sonnen hailed the fan as a hero for not suing Tsarukyan for the punch, Poirier jokingly scolded him.

Moments before the Charles Oliveira-Arman Tsarukyan lightweight bout at UFC 300 (April 13, 2024), a fan named Obed Ardon flipped Tsarukyan off. 'Ahalkalakets' then threw a strike at the fan. Thankfully, security swiftly intervened. Tsarukyan went on to defeat Oliveira via split decision.

Ardon clarified that he wouldn't be suing over the incident. Meanwhile, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) withheld 20 percent of Tsarukyan's UFC 300 fight purse, which was reportedly $31.6k of $158k. As reported by John Morgan, the NSAC ultimately decided to fine Tsarukyan $25k, an amount taken from the $31.6k that had been withheld.

Tsarukyan would have to pay an additional $471.12 as prosecution fees. He was also handed a retroactive nine-month suspension that ends on Jan. 12, 2025. It'll be reduced to a six-month suspension if he partakes in an anti-bullying campaign and makes an anti-bullying PSA (Public Service Announcement). Apparently, he's agreed, and his suspension ends on Oct. 12, 2024.

During the ESPN MMA's Good Guy / Bad Guy podcast's latest live fan Q&A edition, MMA greats Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen were joined by former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. MMA fan Ardon is believed to have attended the event and stated:

"Dustin, you train with Arman at American Top Team, you fought against Islam. Who do you favor in that matchup? And then, also, Chael, I'm the guy that got swung at by Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300."

Chael Sonnen chimed in by saying:

"You're a hero. You didn't sue him. You're a good man."

Ardon replied by noting that he's "not about that (suing)." Dustin Poirier weighed in by lightheartedly noting that the much-awaited Islam Makhachev-Arman Tsarukyan UFC lightweight title fight has been delayed because of Ardon. Poirier said:

"You're the reason we don't have a lightweight title fight."

'The Diamond' then made a thumbs-down gesture but then seemingly acknowledged that he was joking. Meanwhile, Sonnen laughingly noted that the fan was indeed the reason Tsarukyan was suspended.

Recalling the UFC 300 incident, Ardon explained that he's a big fan of Charles Oliveira and was flipping the bird at Arman Tsarukyan during the latter's entrance. It appears that after they made eye contact, Tsarukyan struck him.

Cormier indicated that one doesn't use such a derogatory gesture against someone like Tsarukyan without consequences. Ardon responded by reiterating that he "didn't sue" because he's "not about that."

Check out the interaction below:

Watch the Q&A session below (*Dustin Poirier's comments at 15:51):

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Dustin Poirier on potential Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan UFC title fight

Islam Makhachev could defend his UFC lightweight championship in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan next, likely at UFC 308 (Oct. 26, 2024) in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier is coming off a fifth-round submission defeat against Makhachev at UFC 302, and is still unsure as to whether he'll continue fighting.

When asked about whom he favors in the possible Makhachev-Tsarukyan rematch, Poirier explained that Makhachev's boxing and overall striking have vastly improved. 'The Diamond' feels the Dagestani holds the edge in the striking and grappling departments and would win again. At the 16:27-minute mark of the aforementioned video, he asserted:

"So, if it stays on the feet, I'm going Islam. Obviously, the grappling, probably Islam, so, that's who I would pick."