“I don’t like Hooker as a person. I think he’s rotten, I just want to punch him in the face.” Arman Tsarukyan didn’t mince words when talking about his upcoming opponent, Dan Hooker. The tension between the two is palpable, and as they prepare to headline UFC Qatar, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A win here could potentially earn the Armenian a long-awaited title shot.

Originally, Tsarukyan was scheduled to face Islam Makhachev , but a back injury forced him out. Makhachev submitted late replacement Renato Moicano before moving up to welterweight. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria captured the lightweight crown in June and now awaits his first title defense—a spot Tsarukyan could claim with an impressive win over Hooker. But can he get it done? His former opponent, Beneil Dariush

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