Next event: UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker
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UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker preview, start time and full card

 

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker at a glance

Why UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker matters

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker is more than a standard Fight Night card. It is the promotion’s historic debut in Qatar, the third Middle Eastern country to host a UFC event, and it lands at a pivotal moment for both the lightweight and welterweight divisions. With Islam Makhachev now reigning at welterweight and Ilia Topuria holding the lightweight title, every main-card result in Doha could reshape the title picture at 155 and 170 pounds.

In the main event, surging contender Arman Tsarukyan (22–3) meets battle-tested veteran Dan Hooker (24–12) in a lightweight clash that looks like a de facto title eliminator. Tsarukyan is coming off signature wins over Charles Oliveira and Beneil Dariush and has long been touted as a future champion. Hooker rides a three-fight win streak and finally arrives at the matchup he has publicly chased for years — against the man he once called the hardest fight in the division.

The co-main event is a high-stakes welterweight duel between former UFC champion Belal Muhammad and fast-rising Irish star Ian Machado Garry. With Jack Della Maddalena dethroned by Makhachev at UFC 322, the winner in Doha will have a strong claim to the next shot at welterweight gold.

Add in heavyweight wreckers Serghei Spivac and Shamil Gaziev, a returning Kyoji Horiguchi, and Ilia Topuria’s brother Aleksandre Topuria on the prelims, and UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker shapes up as a card built to make noise on both sides of the Atlantic.

Main event breakdown: UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker

At the top of UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker, we get a classic clash of styles: Tsarukyan’s suffocating pressure grappling and rapidly improving boxing against Hooker’s length, volume striking and dangerous knees and elbows. Both are proven five-round fighters, both are in their prime years and both understand that a statement win in Qatar could finally lock in a shot at Ilia Topuria’s lightweight title.

Tale of the tape

Lightweight main event tale of the tape
Stat Arman Tsarukyan Dan Hooker
Record 22–3 24–12
Age 29 35
Height 5’7″ (170 cm) 6’0″ (183 cm)
Reach 72.5″ (184 cm) 75″ (191 cm)
Stance Orthodox Switch
UFC ranking Top-3 lightweight contender Fringe top-10 lightweight
Significant strikes landed per minute 3.8 (approx.) 5.0 (approx.)
Striking accuracy ~59% ~56%
Takedowns per 15 minutes 3.2 0.7
Takedown accuracy ~37% ~34%
Recent form 4–0 in last four, including wins over Oliveira and Dariush 3–0 in last three, including Mateusz Gamrot

How Arman Tsarukyan wins

Tsarukyan’s game is built around pressure and layers. On the feet, he now punches comfortably in combination, especially off his lead hand: double-jab into a right cross, jab–cross–hook to close distance, and low kicks to keep opponents from freely circling. But his real weapon remains his chain wrestling and top control.

 

Against Hooker, the priority for Tsarukyan will be to get inside the New Zealander’s long jab and kicks without taking clean knees up the middle. Expect him to:

  • Circle outside Hooker’s power side early and kick the calf to slow Hooker’s movement.
  • Hide level changes behind punching combinations, especially jab–cross into a drop on the hips.
  • Transition from single-legs to body locks and trips against the fence rather than chasing the same shot repeatedly.
  • On the mat, use heavy half-guard and wrist control to neutralize Hooker’s guillotine and elbow threats.
  • Mix in mat returns and clinch breaks to keep Hooker guessing instead of allowing predictable wrestling sequences.

If Tsarukyan can average three or more successful takedowns over the first three rounds and keep Hooker flat along the fence, this fight starts to look like his previous dominant wins: steady damage, positional control and a scorecard that’s hard to argue against.

How Dan Hooker wins

Dan Hooker is at his best when he uses his 6-foot frame like a spear: long jabs, stabbing front kicks, and brutal intercepting knees that punish opponents for level-changing in straight lines. He also brings a full arsenal of elbows in close and snappy low kicks that can quickly compromise a lead leg.

To turn the tables on the favourite at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker, “The Hangman” needs to:

  • Establish the jab and rear low kick early to make Tsarukyan pay for entering boxing range.
  • Use teeps to the body to keep Tsarukyan off rhythm and discourage long combinations.
  • Meet level changes with tight uppercuts and knees rather than backing straight to the fence.
  • Threaten front-headlock series — guillotines and d’arce chokes — to make Tsarukyan think twice about lazy shots.
  • Force long exchanges at mid-range, where his volume and experience in wars can start to tilt momentum late.

If Hooker can keep this fight predominantly on the feet and turn rounds three, four and five into a striking battle, his experience in deep waters and his ability to rally after damage could become the defining factors of the main event.

Key questions heading into the main event

  • Can Tsarukyan convert his wrestling edge into reliable control against a taller, crafty veteran who knows how to scramble and stall from front-headlock positions?
  • Will Hooker’s recent injuries — including a surgically repaired hand and a chipped front tooth in camp — matter once the fight begins, or are they just pre-fight talking points?
  • How much will the climate and time-zone shift affect each man’s pace over 25 minutes in Qatar?
  • Does an emphatic win at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker guarantee the victor a shot at Ilia Topuria, or will the UFC hold out for an even bigger name?

Co-main: Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry

The co-main event in Qatar could easily headline many Fight Night cards on its own. Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24–4, 1 NC) returns after losing his belt to Jack Della Maddalena and then watching Islam Makhachev dethrone the Australian. Across from him stands Ian Machado Garry (16–1), a charismatic striker from Dublin who rebounded from his first professional loss and now aims to break into true title-contender status.

Stylistically, this is precision versus pressure. Muhammad is a cardio machine with relentless cage-cutting, long combinations and smothering clinch work. Garry is a sniper who thrives on clean footwork, pull-counters and well-timed kicks as his opponents step in. Over three rounds, every takedown, every moment of fence control and every clean counter right could swing the scorecards.

In the broader welterweight picture, the stakes are simple: the winner of Muhammad vs Garry at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker will be very hard to deny when the conversation turns to the next challenger for Makhachev’s welterweight title.

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker full fight card

Main card (ESPN+, 1:00 p.m. ET / 21:00 Qatar / 20:00 Estonia)

  • Lightweight: Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker
  • Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry
  • Light heavyweight: Volkan Oezdemir vs Alonzo Menifield
  • Welterweight: Jack Hermansson vs Myktybek Orolbai
  • Heavyweight: Serghei Spivac vs Shamil Gaziev
  • Flyweight: Alex Perez vs Asu Almabayev

Preliminary card (ESPN+, 10:00 a.m. ET / 18:00 Qatar / 17:00 Estonia)

  • Featherweight: Bogdan Grad vs Luke Riley
  • Light heavyweight: Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Rafael Cerqueira
  • Flyweight: Tagir Ulanbekov vs Kyoji Horiguchi
  • Bantamweight: Bekzat Almakhan vs Aleksandre Topuria
  • Middleweight: Ismail Naurdiev vs Ryan Loder
  • Lightweight: Nurullo Aliev vs Shem Rock
  • Welterweight: Nicolas Dalby vs Saygid Izagakhmaev
  • Heavyweight: Marek Bujlo vs Denzel Freeman

Start times and how to watch UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker is a standard Fight Night broadcast, not a pay-per-view. That means one subscription will carry you through both the prelims and the main card in most regions.

  • United States: Entire card streams live on ESPN+. Prelims start at 10:00 a.m. ET, main card at 1:00 p.m. ET.
  • Qatar / Middle East (local time): Prelims start at 18:00, main card at 21:00, live from ABHA Arena.
  • Estonia: Prelims start at 17:00 EET, main card at 20:00 EET.

In many European markets the event is also carried on regional sports networks (for example, Eurosport or other UFC broadcast partners) in addition to UFC Fight Pass. Fans should always check local listings or UFC.com’s “How to watch” page to confirm regional details for UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker.

Odds snapshot (not betting advice)

As of fight week, bookmakers have installed Arman Tsarukyan as a clear favourite in the UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker main event, with lines hovering around the -500 range for Tsarukyan and +350 for Hooker. That pricing reflects Tsarukyan’s recent run through top contenders and his statistical edge in wrestling efficiency.

In the co-main, Ian Machado Garry is a slight favourite over Belal Muhammad in many markets (roughly -250 vs +200). Books appear to be weighing Garry’s youth and striking upside against Muhammad’s championship experience and five-round cardio. Other main-card favourites include Myktybek Orolbai, Shamil Gaziev and Asu Almabayev — but heavyweight and flyweight volatility always make those lines dangerous to read too literally.

These numbers are snapshots only and will move as money comes in. They should be treated as an indicator of expectations and stylistic favouritism, not as advice to place bets. Always gamble responsibly if you choose to do so, and never wager more than you can afford to lose.

Key storylines heading into UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker

  • First UFC event in Qatar: The promotion adds another Middle Eastern stop to its global expansion, following events in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
  • Tsarukyan’s title push: After missing out on a previous championship opportunity, a dominant performance here strengthens his case as the most deserving challenger in a crowded lightweight field.
  • Hooker’s late-career surge: Once thought to be on the downward slope, three straight wins and an upset in Doha would put Hooker right back in the title conversation.
  • Welterweight traffic jam: With Makhachev now on top, Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry are fighting not just for a win, but for narrative momentum as the “obvious next guy.”
  • European and MENA talent showcase: From Tagir Ulanbekov and Asu Almabayev to Ismail Naurdiev and Ilia Topuria’s brother Aleksandre, this card is loaded with fighters who speak directly to European and regional fanbases.

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker FAQ

What is UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker?

UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker (also known as UFC Fight Night 265 or UFC Qatar) is a UFC Fight Night event headlined by a lightweight bout between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. It takes place on Saturday, 22 November 2025, at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar, and marks the promotion’s debut in the country.

Is UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker a title fight?

No. The main event at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker is a non-title lightweight bout scheduled for five rounds. However, with Ilia Topuria currently holding the lightweight belt and Tsarukyan ranked near the very top of the division, the winner is likely to be strongly considered for a future title shot.

What time does UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker start?

The prelims start at 10:00 a.m. ET (18:00 local time in Qatar, 17:00 in Estonia). The main card for UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker begins at 1:00 p.m. ET (21:00 in Qatar, 20:00 in Estonia).

How can I watch UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker?

In the United States, UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker streams exclusively on ESPN+, with both the prelims and the main card included. Internationally, the event is available on UFC Fight Pass and various regional broadcast partners. Check UFC.com’s “How to watch” page or your local listings for your specific country.

Who is favoured to win Tsarukyan vs Hooker?

Betting markets currently list Arman Tsarukyan as a solid favourite over Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker, largely because of his recent form, youth and strong wrestling metrics. That said, Hooker’s combination of size, experience and finishing ability make him a very live underdog, particularly if he can keep the fight standing.

Which prelim fights are must-watch?

Several prelims at UFC Fight Night Tsarukyan vs Hooker stand out: Tagir Ulanbekov vs Kyoji Horiguchi is a high-level flyweight battle, Bekzat Almakhan vs Aleksandre Topuria showcases a dangerous prospect against the brother of the lightweight champion, and the heavyweight clash between Marek Bujlo and Denzel Freeman introduces two new finishers to the UFC audience.

 

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