When was the last time you saw a fighter punch a fan on their way to the Octagon? If your answer is ‘never,’ welcome to the wild world of Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian star lit up UFC 300, not just with his razor-thin victory over Charles Oliveira but also with a fiery altercation during his walkout. Now, as UFC 311 looms, will this “fire” carry him to glory, or will it scorch his chances against Islam Makhachev?

It all started in Las Vegas. As ‘Ahalkalakets’ made his way to the cage for his clash with Oliveira, cameras caught him throwing a punch at someone in the crowd. Moments later, he lunged at another spectator before being held back by security. Despite the chaos, Tsarukyan went on to defeat Oliveira via split decision, earning his shot at redemption against Makhachev.

So was this fire a sign of raw passion or a lapse in control? Artem Levin, who is slated to corner the challenger at UFC 311 spoke on Sport24: Culture of Beating (YouTube channel). And he wasn’t surprised by the incident. “Arman needs to be controlled,” Levin said. “He always goes into a fight charged up, and when that spark flares up… a fire starts.”

Let’s face it, UFC 311 is shaping up to be a lightweight bonanza. The Armenian and the Dagestani are set to headline, and with their history, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Remember their first fight in 2019? The current champion walked away victorious after a grueling three-round war. But the #1 lightweight contender insists things will be different this time.

But can he keep his emotions in check? Levin’s comments suggest these “sparks” aren’t out of the ordinary for Tsarukyan. “Unforeseen things flare up,” Levin explained, hinting that the fiery altercation at UFC 300 wasn’t entirely unexpected. But is this a good thing? Will that firepower give him an edge, or will it cost him the focus he needs to topple a champion like Makhachev?

Unpacking the potential stereotypical behavior behind Arman Tsarukyan’s outburst

Oh, here’s a curveball for you. Did you know Arman Tsarukyan comes from a wealthy, millionaire family? That’s right, the man who’s clawing his way to the top of the UFC ranks reportedly didn’t join the promotion for fame or glory. Word has it he did it for a blue tick on social media.

Now, think back to that punch at UFC 300. Was it the raw emotion of a fighter dialed in for war, or was it, dare we say, a typical rich kid behavior? After all, someone who’s grown up in luxury might not be accustomed to handling situations with restraint. It’s an angle that we can’t ignore. Levin, however, paints a different picture. “Knowing Arman, I wasn’t surprised,” he said. “When charged, he fights differently.”

So, is Tsarukyan simply fueled by passion, or is this the attitude of someone who’s been handed everything on a silver platter? It’s a question worth pondering as he heads into the biggest fight of his career. The Armenian’s story is one of fire and contrasts. He’s a fighter with undeniable talent but a temper that could either propel him to greatness or leave him in the dust.

UFC 311 will test not just his skills but his ability to balance passion and discipline. What do you think? Will Arman’s fire be his greatest weapon against Islam Makhachev, or is it a ticking time bomb waiting to explode? Is this the rise of a composed contender, or are we in for another outburst in what promises to be a lightweight classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!