Competing in his first bout in well over a year, premier lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan will look to resume his warpath toward title contention with a monumental win at UFC Qatar.
Arman Tsarukyan Returns to Cage After Lengthy Hiatus
Last seen in action at UFC 300 last year, Arman Tsarukyan accepts his first Octagon assignment in 584 days, facing off against fan-favorite competitor Dan Hooker this weekend at UFC Qatar. Coming off of a career-defining triumph over former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan, the Georgia native finally reenters the spotlight in his goal of securing his second opportunity at the belt.
Originally scheduled to vie for the 155-lb crown back in January at UFC 311, “Ahalkalakets” was meant to throw down with then incumbent Islam Makhachev in a highly-anticipated rematch after their first encounter in 2019. Set to take part in the biggest tilt of his career, Arman Tsarukyan had to bow out the day before the event took place because of a surprise back injury.
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In the time since then, the 29-year old has remained mostly on the sidelines, with the closest he had come to getting back into the cage coming at UFC 317, where he was selected as the backup fighter for that card. Despite this long period of inactivity, Arman Tsarukyan has put in a bunch of time on the mats, partaking in a bit of submission grappling contests throughout the summer. Logging three matches from May to September, the lightweight standout bested the likes of previous title-holders such as Patricky Pitbull and Benson Henderson, submitting both men.
Dan Hooker Among Most Entertaining Fighters Ahead of Arman Tsarukyan Clash
Making a comeback after his own year-long layoff, Hooker is seeking to extend his current three-fight winning streak to four in a row by derailing the hype train of the streaking Arman Tsarukyan. For the past three years, “The Hangman” has reestablished himself as a bonafide contender at lightweight. Competing mainly at pay-per-view shows in his last couple of UFC appearances, the New Zealander makes his first Fight Night showing since his co-main event clash with Arnold Allen at featherweight at UFC Fight Night 204 in 2022.
While his trip to Qatar marks his first bout in the Octagon after quite some time, Hooker was actually supposed to square off with one-time interim lightweight gold standard Justin Gaethje at UFC 313.
With likely championship implications on the line, fans were eager to see the sterling strikers lock horns in one of the most anticipated contents of the division in 2025. Unfortunately, the injury bug would find its way to Hooker after the 35-year old accidentally hurt his hand in training.
