In January, Arman Tsarukyan had a golden opportunity to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311. The stage was set for the Armenian fighter to prove he was the toughest test yet for the former Dagestani champ. However, just before the bout, Makhachev injured his back, leading him to quickly dispatch Renato Moicano at the Intuit Dome. That sudden shift derailed Dana White’s plans for an exciting first pay-per-view event of the year and created tension between the UFC CEO and Tsarukyan.

Although Tsarukyan remained a top lightweight contender, White made it clear the fighter would have to climb back up the ranks to earn another title shot. Still, the UFC kept ‘Akhalkalakets’ in their sights, bringing him in as a backup for UFC 317: Topuria vs. Oliveira, signaling he was still valued. But during International Fight Week, White shocked fans by revealing Tsarukyan hadn’t made weight for the original Makhachev fight. Tsarukyan later dismissed those claims during a July interview with Daniel Cormier. Now, as Tsarukyan prepares to face Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, he is determined to avoid any weight troubles.

Arman Tsarukyan plays it safe ahead of UFC Qatar showdown 

The Armenian fighter posted a brief yet telling message on Instagram: “No more cakes, strict diet 😂.” Known for sharing glimpses of indulgent meals—even during fight week—Tsarukyan’s antics have sparked both fan enjoyment and occasional criticism. His recent video of eating a massive cake even caught the attention of Merab Dvalishvili.

While Tsarukyan has made weight in most of his fights, he does have a history of struggle. At UFC 257, he missed the lightweight limit by three pounds against Matt Frevola. Moreover, former UFC fighter Josh Barnett speculated that Tsarukyan’s back problems may have stemmed from the severe weight cuts.

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Barnett told Ariel Helwani in January, “I truly believe that during his weight cut, he probably hit a huge back spasm out of nowhere that completely took him by surprise. And it was bad enough that, one, it was obviously going to impact his ability to cut weight—so how is he gonna make the weight class?”

That said, Tsarukyan’s more measured approach ahead of UFC Qatar is a promising sign. He will face a formidable opponent in Dan Hooker, who is charged up and ready for battle inside the octagon.

Dan Hooker opens up on what made him accept the Akhalkalakets fight

After overcoming multiple hand surgeries, Dan Hooker has finally returned. Initially, many expected him to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313, but the matchup fell through due to Hooker’s injury. In a surprising turn, “The Hangman” chose to face Arman Tsarukyan instead. Many questioned why Hooker accepted what some perceive as a style nightmare matchup.

In an interview with Sky Sports New Zealand, Hooker revealed, “Justin Gaethje is not that guy, Justin Gaethje doesn’t get me to that guy (champion), Justin Gaethje just gets me a headache. Arman Tsarukyan is the path to the title. That’s the path to being the champ. That’s the path to being the best guy.”

But that’s not the only reason Hooker took the fight. He explained that facing someone considered better than him actually motivated him. “This fight excites me because they feel like he’s a lot better than I am. That’s why this fight excites me so much. It’s like anything good that I do.” Hooker is clearly inspired to prove he remains among the lightweight division’s elite.

Do you think Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker could be a Fight of the Year contender? And do you believe Tsarukyan will make weight with no issues this time? Share your thoughts in the comments below.