Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker to Headline Event in Qatar
The highly anticipated matchup between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker will be the main event of UFC Fight Night on November 22 in Qatar, according to UFC CEO Dana White.
Additionally, former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad will face Irish contender Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event.
The UFC Fight Night will be held in Al Rayyan, Qatar, marking the promotion’s first event in the region. The UFC announced an agreement to bring an event to Qatar in July.
Tsarukyan, with a record of 22-3, was hoping to challenge Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship, but now he will need to secure his title opportunity with a victory over Hooker (24-12). Tsarukyan was in a three-way race for the 155-pound title opportunity, along with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
The UFC has not yet announced the next steps for Topuria.
Muhammad (24-4) will make his first appearance since losing his 170-pound title to Jack Della Maddalena in May.
The 37-year-old fighter had been looking for a match against former champion Kamaru Usman, but will instead face Garry. Garry (16-1) is close to his first title opportunity in the UFC, with a 9-1 record in the Octagon and is coming off a crucial five-round victory over Carlos Prates in April.
