After more than a year away, Arman Tsarukyan returned to the Octagon and proved he remains a serious lightweight contender. He secured a second-round finish over Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC Qatar. Fans and fighters immediately started calling for a clash between Tsarukyan and Ilia Topuria.
Tsarukyan Shows Dominance on the Feet and Ground
Early in the fight, Tsarukyan nearly threw Hooker with a takedown but then exchanged strikes toe-to-toe. Hooker attempted a takedown and tried a choke, yet Tsarukyan gained top control and dominated the rest of the round from side control.
Submission Seals the Victory
In the second round, Hooker tried a guillotine choke, but Tsarukyan countered effectively. He moved into guard, achieved a dominant top position, and landed strong ground-and-pound strikes. Tsarukyan ended the fight with a tight arm-triangle choke, earning a submission win.
Tsarukyan on an Impressive Streak
Tsarukyan now boasts five consecutive wins and ten victories in 11 fights since losing his UFC debut to current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. This fight marked his return after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He had been scheduled to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 but withdrew due to a back injury while cutting weight.
Hooker’s Winning Streak Ends
Dan Hooker saw his three-fight win streak end with this loss. This was his first fight since defeating Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305.
