UFC Qatar has its headliner bouts set for the promotion’s debut in the country.
On Wednesday, the UFC announced the main event will pit top lightweight contenders Arman Tsarukyan (22-3) and Dan Hooker (24-12) against one another at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena on Nov. 22. The co-main event features former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad (24-4, 1 NC) looking to bounce back against Ian Machado Garry (16-1).
Advertisement
Despite the caliber of the co-main event, it was not specified if Muhammad vs. Garry will be a five-round non-title bout.
UFC Qatar’s headliner bout marks the first appearance for Tsarukyan since he was scheduled to challenge now-former champion Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title in January. The No. 1-ranked UFC lightweight contender infamously pulled out the day prior due to a back injury, resulting in Renato Moicano taking his place on short notice. Tsarukyan has won his past four fights, with his most recent victory coming in April 2024 at UFC 300, where he defeated Charles Oliveira by split decision.
Advertisement
On the other hand, Hooker has been on a resurgent run, stringing together three wins in a row to slot him into the division’s top five. Unfortunately for “The Hangman,” injuries have halted his momentum since his August 2024 win over Mateusz Gamrot. Hooker was supposed to compete in a highly anticipated clash against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 this past March until a broken hand forced him to withdraw.
[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]
A win for either fighter should comfortably put him as the next challenger to lightweight champion Ilia Topuria, while the welterweight co-main event will help sort out the loaded contender pecking order.
The current 11-fight UFC Qatar lineup:
Advertisement
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker
Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry
Alex Perez vs. Asu Almabayev
Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Rafael Cerqueira
Bekzat Almakhan vs. Aleksandre Topuria
Felipe Lima vs. Daniel Marcos
Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev
Marek Bujło vs. Denzel Freeman
Ismail Naurdiev vs. Ryan Loder
Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai