Every UFC fighter has their moment of glory, but also some junctures where their invincibility is called into question. What happens when you as a fan can witness it in real time? And what about the impending consequences? A controversy so jarring that the fighter gets suspended or even removed from the company and witnesses their world falling apart? The unfortunate answer is yes! There have been fighters who have faced the wrath of Dana White and Co. via suspensions. 

We are well aware of historical instances where fighters like Jon Jones and TJ Dillashaw have been suspended and faced backlash. But what about 2024? Hold on because the last 12 months gave us three bizarre suspensions that we saw unfolding in real-time! Let’s dive straight into it!

Arman Tsarukyan

Let’s rewind a few months to 2024 and revisit a moment that had the MMA world buzzing. Arman Tsarukyan, the #1 contender for 155lbs gold, found himself in the spotlight—but not for reasons he would have wanted. For Dana White, fighters are more than just warriors in the cage; they’re investments. They’re expected to perform like gladiators and project the star power of a celebrity. This dual role fills arenas, sells pay-per-views, and keeps the UFC machine running.

But at UFC 300, Tsarukyan made headlines for all the wrong reasons. While making his walk to the Octagon at the iconic T-Mobile Arena, he clashed—not with an opponent, but with a fan. The fan reportedly made an offensive gesture as Tsarukyan passed, prompting the Armenian to retaliate with a punch. Security quickly intervened, but the moment was caught on camera, and it went viral overnight. The incident led to a nine-month suspension, putting his UFC career on pause and sparking debates across the MMA community.

But wait—there’s more to the story. If you thought Arman Tsarukyan’s troubles ended with the suspension, think again. In addition to the nine-month ban, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) handed him a hefty $25,000 fine for his misconduct, making his wallet significantly lighter.

However, there was a silver lining to the punishment. While the fine wasn’t refundable, Tsarukyan was offered a way to reduce his suspension from nine months to six. The catch? He had to create an anti-bullying video as part of his penance. Thankfully, the Armenian lightweight complied without stirring up further drama and fulfilled the requirement, successfully shaving three months off his suspension.

Now, with his suspension reduced, Tsarukyan is set to make his much-anticipated return in January at UFC 311. And it’s not just any fight—it’s a showdown against the dominant lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev. Do you think he learned his lesson or he might pull a stunt like this again?

Igor Severino

As UFC fans, we’ve seen it all—injuries both inside and outside the Octagon. But 2024 brought us something even more bizarre: a fighter biting their opponent mid-fight. Yes, you read that right! Picture this: the second round of a heated bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night: Ribas vs. Namajunas. The crowd is on its feet, the energy electric, and suddenly, chaos ensues. Igor Severino, a 9-1 bantamweight prospect, opted for an entirely unexpected move—he bit his opponent.

Severino sank his teeth into Andre Lima’s left bicep during a standing grappling exchange. The shocking act immediately halted the fight, earning Severino an instant disqualification. Photos quickly circulated, showing clear bite marks that left no doubt about the bizarre infraction. The fallout was swift: Severino received a nine-month suspension from the NSAC and was subsequently released from the UFC.

“Those were two up-and-coming undefeated fighters,” White said via KevinIole.com. “If you get frustrated and want out of the fight, there are plenty of ways to do it, but the worst thing you can do is bite your opponent. Now, you get cut and lose the biggest opportunity of your life. Not to mention, he’s going to have real problems with the NSAC.”

But the story doesn’t end there. Severino later broke his silence, offering his version of events. “I remember everything that was happening until I got hit with something hard,” Severino told MMA Junkie. “I watched the video later and I thought it was an elbow. From there, I was on autopilot. I don’t remember anything. I’ve never done anything outside the barriers of the sport. To me, I couldn’t comprehend what was going on.”

Interestingly, Lima, the victim of the bite, harbored no resentment towards his fellow Brazilian. No bad blood arose from the incident, but Severino didn’t shy away from the controversy. Instead, he leaned into it, embracing his newfound infamy. He adopted the nickname “Hannibal” and made his next walkout at OKMMA 65 on 29 December wearing the iconic mask made famous by Anthony Hopkins in The Silence of the Lambs. Talk about grabbing the headlines!

Muhammad Mokaev

Last but not least, let’s not forget the mercurial flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev. The rising star achieved a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304, improving his record to a flawless 7-0. However, this triumph marked the end of his UFC tenure. Mokaev’s contract expired after the fight, and to the surprise of many, the promotion chose not to renew it.

The reasons behind this decision have been the subject of heated debate. While some fans pointed fingers at his wrestling-heavy style, which they believed didn’t deliver the fireworks Dana White values, others speculated that his antics behind the scenes, including a pre-fight altercation with Kape at the fighter hotel, played a role.

But a new twist emerged thanks to UFC insider Ben Davis, who dropped some bombshell revelations in a YouTube video. According to Davis, leaked DMs suggested that Mokaev might have tried to leverage interest from PFL to secure a better deal with the UFC. “Essentially, he was trying to use the number from PFL as leverage. That caused the UFC to say, ‘F**k that, go to the PFL,'” Davis revealed while sharing screenshots to back up his claims.

White himself offered a rather distasteful comment on Mokaev’s departure during the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, saying, “I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy.” Despite his grappling-heavy tactics and some questionable tricks during his last UFC bout, Mokaev has landed on his feet. The Russian talent signed a lucrative deal with Brave CF, reportedly earning more than he did with the UFC. Meanwhile, fans have been vocal in their pleas for White to bring “The Punisher” back to the Octagon.

So, will Mokaev find his way back to the UFC in the future? Only time will tell. For now, the flyweight phenom seems to be thriving in his new environment. What are your thoughts on Mokaev’s departure and these three bizarre suspensions the UFC witnessed this year? Let’s hear it in the comment section down below!