UFC Featherweight Dennis Buzukja Faces Extended Suspension for Fan Altercation

The Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has extended the temporary suspension of UFC featherweight Dennis Buzukja following a physical altercation with a fan at UFC 310 in December. The incident, which occurred after Buzukja’s teammate Aljamain Sterling’s loss to Movsar Evloev, has cast a shadow over the fighter’s career and raised questions about fighter conduct and event security.

Dennis Buzukja has been temporarily suspended by the NSAC for this incident at #UFC310. Disciplinary resolution will come at a future meeting. pic.twitter.com/NE13Ugnt04

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) January 28, 2025

Buzukja, who holds a 1-3 record in the UFC, was serving as a cornerman for Sterling when the altercation took place. As the team was making their way back to the locker room, a confrontation erupted between Buzukja’s teammate Merab Dvalishvili and a fan identified as Arman Tugaev. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in Buzukja throwing punches at Tugaev.

The Incident Unfolds

According to Buzukja’s account, the altercation began when Tugaev allegedly grabbed Dvalishvili’s arm and said something in Russian, causing Dvalishvili to react angrily. Buzukja claims he approached Tugaev in an attempt to de-escalate the situation, but things took a turn for the worse.

“I went and approached him, and I just put his hand down,” Buzukja explained on “The Weekly Scraps” podcast. “I was trying to deescalate and tell him, ‘Yo, calm down, bro. Relax.’ Merab was going away. I just wanted to tell him to relax, have some respect. Then he cracked me first. Actually, he cracked me with a nice little left hook, and then it was just instinct to hit him back”

My Georgian brother has good left hooks 😉🇬🇪 @MerabDvalishvil pic.twitter.com/fsz3YMQHG7

— Buzukja (@DennisBuzukja) January 19, 2025

The incident was captured on video and quickly spread across social media platforms, prompting the NAC to take action. Initially, Buzukja was placed on temporary suspension pending further investigation.

Implications and Potential Consequences

The extension of Buzukja’s suspension by the NAC suggests that the commission is taking the matter seriously. This decision could have significant implications for the fighter’s career, potentially sidelining him for an extended period.

The incident has also raised questions about event security and the interactions between fighters and fans. UFC CEO Dana White initially downplayed the situation, but the NAC’s actions indicate that there may be more severe consequences for Buzukja.

This is not the first time a UFC fighter has faced disciplinary action for altercations with fans. In a similar incident, Arman Tsarukyan received a nine-month suspension and a substantial fine for hitting a fan during his walkout. The precedent set by that case could influence the NAC’s final decision regarding Buzukja’s punishment.

The situation is further complicated by allegations made by Dvalishvili, who claimed that Tugaev was not a random fan but a “plant” sent by Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili suggested that the encounter was orchestrated to provoke him, adding another layer of intrigue to the already controversial incident.

The extended suspension leaves Buzukja’s fighting future uncertain. With a 1-3 record in the UFC, this incident could potentially jeopardize his position within the organization. Some fans and pundits have already called for his release, citing both his lackluster performance in the octagon and this recent controversy.

For now, Dennis Buzukja finds himself in a precarious position, facing not only potential disciplinary action but also scrutiny from fans and fellow fighters alike. As the situation unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with being a professional fighter, both inside and outside the cage.