For the first time, the UFC landed in Qatar, hosting a night of intense fights at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena. Fans witnessed standout performances and pivotal matchups shaping multiple division contenderships.
Qatar becomes the third Middle Eastern country to host the UFC after the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The promotion returned to the region just last month for UFC 321, where the heavyweight championship clash between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest.
The main event featured lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. Tsarukyan returned after defeating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He had been scheduled to challenge then-champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 but withdrew due to a back injury during weight cutting. Hooker entered on the back of his UFC 305 victory over Mateusz Gamrot.
The co-main event showcased a welterweight clash between Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry. Muhammad competed for the first time since losing the welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Machado Garry rebounded from his first professional loss with a win in Kansas City this April against Carlos Prates.
Who impressed in Qatar, and who fell short? Let’s break down the hits and misses from UFC Qatar.
Ismael Naudriev ignites the prelims
After suffering an upset loss to Park Jun-yong at UFC Baku, Ismael Naudriev needed a statement performance. He delivered one by stopping Ryan Loder in the prelims. Naudriev first caught Loder with a right hand, then followed up with a perfect second strike, sending Loder out cold.
Naudriev now holds a 2-1 record in his second UFC stint, improving from his previous 2-2 run. Another dominant win could solidify his comeback and show that he has grown as a fighter since his initial UFC tenure.
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyave repeats Contender Series magic
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyave continued the momentum from Dana White’s Contender Series by winning in style during his UFC debut. After missing a high kick, he landed another clean strike followed by a right hand, then took Rafael Cerqueira to the ground and forced a submission with a choke.
Yakhyave scored a 30-second finish on the Contender Series last August against Alik Lorenz. Another strong UFC performance could position the former ARES FC light heavyweight champion as an undercard fighter to watch closely.
Asu Almabayev shows clutch submission skills
In a top-10 flyweight matchup, Asu Almabayev turned the tide against Alex Perez using a guillotine choke. Perez dominated the first two rounds with striking and takedown attempts. Almabayev defended well in the opening round and patiently waited for an opening.
In the third round, Almabayev used Perez’s aggression against him, landing a guillotine submission to secure the victory. He now holds a 6-1 UFC record and may move into the top flyweight rankings, positioning himself a few wins away from challenging for the title.
Luke Riley energizes fans with knockout debut
Luke Riley faced early struggles against Bogdan Grad, who used takedowns and grappling to gain control. Riley, however, landed a left hand early in the second round, followed by precise follow-up strikes, earning a knockout victory.
Riley arrives in the UFC undefeated at 11-0 from Cage Warriors. Despite some technical gaps, his debut proved he can excite fans and secure victories at the highest level.
Kyoji Horiguchi makes triumphant return
Kyoji Horiguchi returned to the UFC after nine years, immediately proving his contender status. He controlled the second round against Tagir Ulanbekov with precise strikes and ground control, then finished him in the third with a head kick and a choke submission.
Horiguchi captured titles in RIZIN and Bellator while away from the UFC, and his return sets the stage for a potential flyweight title run, echoing his previous challenge against Demetrious Johnson.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta shines with another first-round knockout
Cortes-Acosta learned he would compete just days before UFC Qatar and made the 266-pound limit. He rocked Shamil Gaziev early in the fight and sealed the victory with a single right hand, scoring his second first-round knockout in weeks.
Cortes-Acosta has fought five times in 2025, winning four bouts, and could earn a sixth fight by year’s end. His consistency positions him as a contender in the upcoming heavyweight matchups.
Jack Hermansson’s risky weight cut backfires
Jack Hermansson’s move down to 170 pounds failed spectacularly. Coming off a brutal knockout loss to Gregory Rodrigues, he struggled with the additional weight cut. He was knocked out again by Myktybek Orolbai, showing his body cannot handle the welterweight division.
Hermansson should return to 185 pounds, or consider retirement for his health. The decision to cut weight appears disastrous and could endanger his career.
Volkan Oezdemir proves he still has the edge
Volkan Oezdemir, at 36, reminded fans of his power against Alonzo Menifield. He applied constant pressure, trapped Menifield near the cage, and landed decisive combinations to secure the stoppage.
Despite limited activity in recent years, Oezdemir has won three of his last four fights and remains a strong contender in the light heavyweight division, presenting a tough test for anyone trying to break into the top ten.
Ian Garry confirms welterweight potential
Ian Garry showcased his elite skills against Belal Muhammad. Garry withstood Muhammad’s takedown attempts and controlled the fight with precise striking and defense.
This performance places Garry firmly among the top contenders in the division, possibly positioning him for a title shot soon.
Belal Muhammad faces a challenging road back
Belal Muhammad’s undefeated streak has ended, and his recent losses suggest a difficult comeback. After dropping the welterweight title, he struggled against younger, hungrier contenders like Ian Garry.
Muhammad remains a top-10 fighter, but the new champion, Islam Makhachev, and emerging talent make his return to the top more challenging than ever.
Arman Tsarukyan cements top contender status
Arman Tsarukyan dominated Dan Hooker in the main event, winning with an arm-triangle choke despite controversy over a headbutt. Tsarukyan controlled the fight after the first round, neutralizing Hooker’s submissions and striking effectively from the top.
Tsarukyan remains the No. 1 lightweight contender, and a matchup against Ilia Topuria could now be the UFC’s most compelling option if Topuria advances past his first challenger.
