Tsarukyan and Hooker have been talking mad trash at each other for years, and that animosity finally boiled over into a physical confrontation one day before their five-round main event showdown. Indeed, after stepping on the scale for fans (official early weigh-in results here), Tsarukyan strutted up to Hooker for the traditional pre-fight face off only to immediately head butt the taller “Hangman” square in the face.
Security quickly stepped in to separate the two fighters, with Hooker laughing off the attack.
“Let’s go, let’s go, I love it,” he exclaimed. “Bring it on!”
Tsarukyan didn’t even bother addressing the head butt when Michael Bisping approached him with the mic.
“I’m gonna show great knockout and gonna get my title next,” he declared.
Tsarukyan has been very vocal about getting a Lightweight title shot against Ilia Topuria with a win over Hooker in the Middle East; however, it’s a crowded field at 155 pounds and Topuria has said he’d prefer to fight Paddy Pimblett if he has a choice. In fact, Topuria has even refused to acknowledge Tsarukyan (more on that here).
He might not, but UFC is leaning toward the ultra-popular Justin Gaethje facing Topuria when the rising Spanish star returns.
That return will reportedly take place at the first major numbered card in January for UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount / CBS. Can Tsarukyan create enough of a stir in Qatar to lock in a title shot?
He’s clearly going to try.