Arman gets me there, Justin doesn’t: Dan Hooker explains why Tsarukyan fight leads to title

Dan Hooker remains undaunted despite entering as a major underdog against Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC Qatar Main Event on November 22, 2025. The matchup represents much more than a typical lightweight contest at the ABHA Arena in Doha. UFC President Dana White has confirmed that this fight will determine who will face Ilia Topuria for the lightweight championship, making it a de facto number one fight with the highest stakes imaginable.

Dan Hooker knocks off Justin Gaethje: Arman Tsarukyan takes me to the champion

Ranked seventh in the UFC lightweight division, Whore sits comfortably in the upper echelon of the promotion, despite its mixed record. The 35-year-old New Zealand fighter has amassed a 24-12 record during his mixed martial arts career and has put together an impressive three-fight winning streak heading into Qatar. Most recently, he earned a split-decision victory against Mateusz Gamrot in August 2024 at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, a fight that was awarded Fight of the Night honors.

The Georgian-Armenian fighter Tsarukyan participates in this match as a big favorite. With a professional record of 22-3 and currently number two in the lightweight rankings, Tsarukyan has won four straight in the UFC. His most recent fight came against veteran Charles Oliveira in April 2024 at UFC 300.

The narrative Hooker has crafted focuses on the perceived pressure Tsarukyan brings to bear in this battle. Speaking to Sky Sports about the psychological benefits of being a huge underdog, Hooker expressed his genuine excitement about facing a fighter who the MMA world believes is significantly more talented.

“This fight excites me because they feel like Arman is a lot better than me. It’s like everything good I do, Arman will look more like an idiot. He was supposed to be a super freak athlete, a title contender, the guy who would beat Ilia Topuria – they’re hiding the champion from him. And now he’s losing to Dan Hooker, the guy from New Zealand who has lost a third of his fights.”

Tsarukyan carries the weight of high expectations after months of absence from competition and a failed bid for the championship. A loss for Hooker would be a significant setback for the number two ranked prospect, while Hooker’s win would create one of the biggest upsets in the lightweight division’s recent history.

The discussion about the implications of the title extends beyond Tsarukyan’s future. Hooker has spoken out about why this particular fight has more value than alternative opportunities in the lightweight title picture. During his interview, Hooker distinguished between the fight against Tsarukyan and the confrontation with Justin Gaethje, who is positioned alongside Paddy Pimblett as a potential challenger to Topuria.

“Justin Gaethje is not that guy. Justin Gaethje doesn’t bring me to that guy [champion]; he just gives me a headache. Arman Tsarukyan is the path to the title, that is the path to becoming a champion, that is the path to the best man.”

Ilia Topuria became the tenth two-division champion in UFC history when he knocked out Charles Oliveira in the opening round at UFC 317 in June 2025. The 28-year-old Georgian has maintained an undefeated record of 17-0 throughout his professional career and is currently ranked number one on the UFC pound-for-pound list as of July 2025. His lightweight championship defense remains unannounced, although speculation suggests January 2025 he could face Gaethje or possibly Pimblett, depending on negotiations with the UFC.

The event marks the UFC’s first appearance Qatar and represents the first Fight Night card in the region following the promotion’s announcement of a deal in July 2025. Hooker enters the fight in strong form despite his role as an underdog. His three consecutive victories show that he remains capable of competing with the elite of the lightweight division. However, Tsarukyan represents the highest level of opposition Hooker has faced in recent history.

For Hooker, November 22 represents a career-defining opportunity. A win would not only secure a title shot against Topuria, but would also confirm his claim that fighting against elite competition excites him more than safer matchups lower down the rankings. For Tsarukyan, the match serves as a necessary step to rehabilitate his championship bid after the injury-related break derailed his momentum. The stakes for both competitors could not be higher.