With 2025 drawing to a close, all eyes are turning to the calendar’s penultimate marquee event. At Madison Square Garden, Islam Makhachev will attempt to capture Jack Della Maddalena’s welterweight title at UFC 322. But before the promotion wraps up the year with the rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan in December, a Fight Night in between has been steadily gaining traction. It features two of the lightweight division’s biggest names: Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker.

Alongside the headliner, UFC Fight Night 265 at Doha’s ABHA Arena will also feature a main-card clash between Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry. However, recent comments from the headliners Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker seem to have raised quite a few eyebrows. Days before the event was officially announced, Tsarukyan mentioned the absence of a fight contract. Now, entering fight week, he’s drawn attention again. This time for discussing fighter pay and what he perceives as bias against athletes from his region.

Arman Tsarukyan challenges UFC’s treatment of fighters

These revelations surfaced during a recent interview on his YouTube channel, where Tsarukyan opened up about life outside the Octagon. Naturally, the topic shifted to his upcoming fight against Dan Hooker. When asked why he had called Hooker a ‘clown,’ Tsarukyan explained that the New Zealander dillydallied while finalizing their fight contract. Then Hooker entertained talks about a matchup with Conor McGregor. So the interviewer asked, “Does he even have a choice?”

Arman Tsarukyan replied, “Yeah, all of them have choices.” But in the same breath, he added, “It’s us only who have no choice. We do what they tell us. Fighters from Russia or the CIS countries; we accept all the fights. If you dare to deny one fight offer, you’ll be blacklisted. You’ll fight in 3-4 years...”

Now the response might have shocked a few. Earlier, Arman Tsarukyan tackled the touchy issue of fight pay. “Yeah (getting a win) is the motivation (for an additional $150k), but in general, you’re kind of fighting at a loss most of the time. Sponsorships; that’s how you actually make money,” he said.

It’s worth noting that Tsarukyan reportedly comes from a well-off background. His father, Nairi Tsarukyan, is a wealthy businessman involved in the construction business in Russia. So his candid comments about fighter compensation make it somewhat unexpected from the UFC’s perspective.

From Tsarukyan to Khabib, recurring claims of uneven treatment

As for his broader point about fighters from Russia or the CIS, opinions may vary. Interestingly, Khabib Nurmagomedov appeared to voice a similar sentiment earlier this year. During an interview, the former lightweight champion said, “I think that feeling started in the last couple of years, when they didn’t give Evloev the shot at 9-0. They were stalling Ankalaev too. Then there’s that whole situation with (Muhammad) Mokaev. With Khamzat, it’s his own thing; visas and all that. All of it together, though, it definitely creates that kind of impression.”

While there’s no confirmed evidence supporting claims of institutional bias, some fans may also recall old rumors involving heavyweight legend Fedor Emelianenko. Often hailed as the greatest fighter never to compete in the UFC, his team reportedly declined a deal after tense negotiations. According to unverified claims circulating at the time, the promotion allegedly told them they didn’t need Russian champions.

Still, with athletes such as Valentina Shevchenko and Khamzat Chimaev thriving in their respective divisions and pound-for-pound rankings, others might challenge Tsarukyan’s view as too generalized.

For now, however, fans are more interested in how the Tsarukyan vs. Hooker lightweight title eliminator unfolds next weekend.

Between Tsarukyan and Hooker, who’s your pick for the win?