UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was validated after a 589-day absence from the Octagon Saturday, securing an arm-triangle-choke submission against Dan Hooker in the second round of the main event of UFC Fight Night in Doha, Qatar.

In his first fight since April 13, 2024, Tsarukyan (23-3 MMA) of Armenia extended his winning streak to five. After the fight, he requested a title shot against UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA) to begin next year's UFC event schedule.

"Only guy who wanted to fight me," Tsarukyan said of Hooker. "Everyone has run out, especially Ilia. If you are here, come on (in the Octagon). We gotta face (off). There is just one contender, one No. 1 contender. It's Arman Tsarukyan. Everybody knows I've got to fight for the title."

Hooker (24-13 MMA)

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