Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) returned to action for the first time since earning a split-decision victory over former division champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. ‘Ahalkalakets’ entered the bout on a four-fight winning streak and had gone 9-2 in the UFC since joining the promotion in April 2019.
Meanwhile, Dan Hooker (24-13 MMA) competed for the first time since the UFC 305 event in August, where he scored a fight of the night victory over Mateusz Gamrot. ‘The Hangman’ had won 3-2 from his previous five Octagon appearances in general, but entered today’s title eliminator on a three-fight winning streak.
Today’s UFC Qatar Main Event resulted in a statement win for Arman Tsarukyan. The Armenian standout managed to get the upper hand over Dan Hooker from the opening bell, throwing some big punches and kicks before taking the fight to the ground. Although ‘The Hangman’ survived the opening stages, things did not improve for the veteran in round two. Tsarukyan once again took the fight to the ground, where he unloaded some solid ground and pound before finally locking in an arm-triangle choke that ended the fight. Following his dominant win, Arman called out reigning UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
Official UFC Qatar Results: Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker via submission (arm-triangle) at 3:34 of round 2
Watch below to see how the pros reacted to ‘Tsarukyan vs. Hooker’:
I’m not so sure about that strike song
— Arnold Billy Allen (@Arnoldbfa) November 22, 2025
10-9 Tsarukyan. Hooker needs to turn this into a brawl! #UFCQatar
—Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 22, 2025
10-9 Tsarukyan after R1
Dominant round
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 22, 2025
Tsarukyan gets the head and arm choke and finishes Dan Hooker.
He should absolutely be next for title contender. Top contender and the most competitive fight for Ilia.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 22, 2025
Post-fight reactions to Arman Tsarukyan beating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar:
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Ilia Topuria is the ONLY fight that makes sense for the lightweight title. Book it! #UFCQatar
—Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 22, 2025
lol Illa like I’m fighting Paddy Dawg Lmfao
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) November 22, 2025
Clinical achievements put forward by Tsarukyan. He will be the man to dethrone Ilia Topuria #UFCQatar
—Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) November 22, 2025
ARMAN TSARUKYAN CALLS ON ILIA TOPURIA! 👀🔥
“Everyone is running, especially Ilia. There is only one number 1 candidate, and that is Arman Tsarukyan. Don’t make an easy fight.
I’ll be ready at the end of January. Just send me a contract.” #UFCQatarpic.twitter.com/ACa1RgkfMR
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 22, 2025
Who would you like to see Tsarukyan fight next after his win over Hooker this afternoon?
#Pros #React #Arman #Tsarukyan #Submits #Dan #Hooker #UFC #Qatar #BJPenn.com