Before the sport takes a rare week off to allow fans and fighters to connect with their families for Thanksgiving, UFC Qatar looks to give audiences a fantastic night of fights to usher in the holiday season. Taking top billing for the event, number one lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan meets fan-favorite striker Dan Hooker. In the co-main event, former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad comes to blows with divisional juggernaut Ian Machado Garry.
UFC Qatar Main Event
Absent from the cage since UFC 300 back in April 2024, Tsarukyan was originally pegged to contend for the 155-lb strap earlier this year at UFC 311 before a sudden back injury forced him out of a coveted title match with Islam Makhachev. Making the walk after 580 days, “Akhalkalakets” is aiming to cement his claim to a second chance at the belt by making short work of the New Zealander.
Consistently involved in some of the most entertaining lightweight contests ever, Hooker now competes in his first tilt of 2025. Backed by a phenomenal three-fight winning streak, “The Hangman” can solidify his own case for a championship opportunity next year should he manage to topple the dominant Armenian.
UFC Qatar Co-Main Event
Coming off of a loss to former 170-lb king Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315, Muhammad jumps back into the fray on the grandest stage in all of mixed martial arts. Previously compiling a splendid ten-bout unbeaten run, “Remember the Name” faces off with one of the welterweight’s finest to kickstart another stellar warpath towards UFC gold.
Rebounding from the first setback of his promotional tenure by besting famed knockout artist Carlos Prates, Machado Garry now stands among the cream of the crop of his weight class. Showcasing immense growth in each subsequent Octagon appearance, the appropriately nicknamed “The Future” is seeking to make a statement over a distinguished one-time title-holder.
More Bouts On the UFC Qatar Main Card
Rounding out the main card, light heavyweight sluggers Volkan Oezdemir and Alonzo Menifield throw down. Then, Jack Hermansson makes his welterweight debut opposite Myktybek Orolbai. Also, short-notice replacement Waldo Cortes-Acosta crosses paths with heavyweight Russian phenom Shamil Gaziev. Finally, Tagir Ulanbekov meets previous Bellator and RIZIN title-holder Kyoji Horiguchi.
UFC Qatar Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL), ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Qatar picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after UFC 322:
- Hank Strandberg: 198-111
- Frazer Krohn: 157-114
- Drew Zuhosky: 156-151
- Jeremy Brand: 139-93
- Andrew Benjamin: 32-90
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Tagir Ulanbekov -200
Vs.
Kyoji Horiguchi +170
FLYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Horiguchi by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Horiguchi by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Horiguchi by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Ulanbekov: 0
Staff picking Horiguchi: 3
Waldo Cortes-Acosta -147
Vs.
Shamil Gaziev +127
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Cortes-Acosta by Unanimous Decision Drew Zuhosky: Cortes-Acosta by Second Round Knockout
Frazer Kron: Cortes-Acosta by First Round Knockout
Staff picking Cortes-Acosta: 3
Staff picking Gaziev: 0
Myktybek Orolbai -240
Vs.
Jack Hermansson +205
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Hermansson by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Hermansson by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Hermansson by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Orolbai: 0
Staff picking Hermansson: 3
Volkan Oezdemir -225
Vs.
Alonzo Menifield +190
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Oezdemir by First Round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Menifield by First Round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Oezdemir by Second Round Knockout
Staff picking Oezdemir: 2
Staff picking Menifield: 1
Ian Machado Garry -255
Vs.
Belal Muhammad +215
WELTERWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Machado Garry by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Muhammad by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Machado Garry by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Machado Garry: 2
Staff picking Muhammad: 1
Arman Tsarukyan -550
Vs.
Daniel Hooker +400
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand:
Hank Strandberg: Tsarukyan by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Hooker by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Kron: Tsarukyan by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Tsarukyan: 2
Staff picking Hooker: 1
