Arman Tsarukyan, one of the UFC’s most electrifying lightweight contenders, is making headlines for all the wrong—and right—reasons ahead of his high-stakes main event against Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar. With a title shot on the line and a turbulent fight week, Tsarukyan’s journey to the top is anything but ordinary.
A Fighter on the Brink of Greatness
Tsarukyan enters UFC Qatar with a formidable record of
22-3, boasting a 9-2 run in the UFC. His only losses came against elite competition: Islam Makhachev in 2019 and Mateusz Gamrot in 2022. After a heartbreaking injury forced him out of a title bout against Makhachev in January 2025, Tsarukyan is now laser-focused on securing a shot at the current champion, Ilia Topuria. Insiders and even Makhachev himself have called Tsarukyan the “toughest challenge” for Topuria in the lightweight division.
Weigh-In Drama and Explosive Face-Off
The fight week in Doha has been anything but smooth. Tsarukyan reportedly
struggled to make weight, coming in three pounds over just hours before the official weigh-ins. This raised concerns about his physical readiness and added tension to an already heated build-up.
But the real fireworks came during the ceremonial weigh-ins. In a shocking moment, Tsarukyan
headbutted Dan Hooker during their final face-off, igniting controversy and drawing immediate backlash from fans and officials alike. The incident was caught on video and quickly went viral, with many questioning Tsarukyan’s composure and the potential consequences for the main event.
Sanctions and Fallout
The UFC wasted no time responding to Tsarukyan’s actions. He was
fined $25,000 and suspended for the violent altercation, though the suspension appears to be short-term, allowing the fight to proceed as planned. Such behavior is “very poorly viewed by the UFC,” and had Hooker been injured, the entire event could have been jeopardized.
Tsarukyan’s Mindset: “I’m Going for a Spectacular KO”
Despite the chaos, Tsarukyan remains unfazed. He has publicly declared his intention to deliver a “spectacular KO” and secure his long-awaited title shot. He’s also dismissed Hooker’s anti-wrestling strategy with a mix of amusement and confidence, stating that this fight is just a “formality” before he claims the belt.
What’s Next? Welterweight Ambitions and Title Dreams
Looking beyond UFC Qatar, Tsarukyan has hinted at a possible move up to
welterweight, inspired by Islam Makhachev’s recent success in the division. However, he insists that any jump in weight will be carefully planned to maintain his trademark explosiveness and power.
For now, all eyes are on Saturday’s main event. A win over Dan Hooker would make Tsarukyan the clear number-one contender and set up a blockbuster showdown with Ilia Topuria. With his blend of wrestling, striking, and raw determination, Tsarukyan is poised to shake up the lightweight—and possibly welterweight—landscape.
Takeaways and Future Implications
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Tsarukyan’s volatile fight week has only heightened anticipation for UFC Qatar’s main event.-
A victory could catapult him into a title fight with Ilia Topuria, or even open doors to the welterweight division.-
His actions outside the cage, however, may force the UFC to keep a closer eye on his conduct moving forward.One thing is certain: Arman Tsarukyan is a fighter who refuses to be ignored—inside or outside the octagon.
Sources
1. Arman Tsarukyan affiche une forme incroyable avant son ...
2. Morning Report | Arman Tsarukyan calls for title eliminator ...
3. Vidéo UFC Qatar : Arman Tsarukyan donne un coup de ...
4. Arman Tsarukyan struggles with weight ahead of UFC Qatar
5. Arman Tsarukyan met un coup de tête à Dan Hooker en ...
6. MMA: Arman Tsarukyan - news
7. Le défi d'Arman Tsarukyan : monter en welterweight sans ...
8. UFC Qatar's Dan Hooker gets inside intel that Arman ...
9. Arman Tsarukyan se moque de la stratégie anti-lutte ...
10. Khamzat Chimaev won't stop Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia ...
11. Arman Tsarukyan was suspended and fined $25000 for ...
12. It's on! Arman Tsarukyan dangerously head butts Dan ...
