Arman Tsarukyan has had a lot of things said about him throughout his rise up the lightweight ladder, but the most recent one, that he’s a “spoiled little rich kid” fighting for attention, didn’t land the way Dan Hooker undoubtedly hoped. With UFC Qatar just around the corner and tensions already high, Hooker’s jab adds one more spark to a rivalry that has been simmering for years.

But when ‘Ahalkalakets’ was asked about it, there was no outrage, no irritation, and certainly no attempt to clap back. Instead, he reacted like someone with tunnel vision would: by laughing. The insults barely grazed him, because in his mind, one thing matters: the belt he’s chasing.

Arman Tsarukyan laughs off Dan Hooker’s accusation

When Shak MMA asked Arman Tsarukyan about Dan Hooker and other critics calling him a clout-chaser, ‘Ahalkalakets’ didn’t bother decorating his answer. “I beat a former UFC champion,” he said, referring to his win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. “And when I saw that, I just laughed.” He made it clear that he wasn’t in the same emotional space as the others attempting to get under his skin.

He wasn’t insulted; he just didn’t see the point. “I’m a little bit different… I have my goal that I want to achieve a UFC title. And then Dan can talk whatever he wants. It just makes me laugh,” he further told Shak MMA YouTube channel.  That’s the contrast fueling their rivalry. ‘The Hangman’ thrives on the idea of being counted out, on facing the guy “everyone thinks is gonna beat” him. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan dismisses criticism as insignificant.

Dan Hooker takes this fight personally; the Armenian simply sees it as a practical solution to reach the top. And this difference is what keeps their exchanges interesting: one man enjoys the chaos, while the other just ignores it. However, Hooker’s statements have not gone unnoticed. After all, the same fighter who referred to Arman Tsarukyan as a “spoiled little rich kid” has dubbed him the best lightweight in the UFC.

Tsarukyan is aware of the contradiction, yet he refuses to bite. He understands what ‘The Hangman’ represents: a name, a challenge, and another step toward the title shot he has sought since entering the division. And if one thing was evident from his response, it was that he isn’t interested in arguing over narratives, only rankings, as he knows that he is surely walking into the fight a heavy favorite to win.

Jorge Masvidal expects an easy win for Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar

If Arman Tsarukyan isn’t bothered by Hooker’s words, Jorge Masvidal certainly isn’t either. The former BMF champion has trained with ‘Ahalkalakets’ for years, and from his perspective, this fight appears to be considerably more straightforward than the back-and-forth outside the cage. ‘Gamebred’ believes the skill gap is real, and the odds aren’t exaggerated; they just mirror what he’s seen in the gym.

Masvidal explained it in the most Masvidal way possible. “I’ve trained extensively with Arman,” he said before acknowledging Hooker’s toughness. However, Jorge Masvidal believes that Arman Tsarukyan’s explosiveness, quickness, and wrestling depth cannot be solved solely through toughness.

“[Hooker’s] skill is limited… Arman can make it an easy fight.” To him, it’s a stylistic mismatch from the start. Arman Tsarukyan’s strength lines up directly with Hooker’s biggest vulnerabilities. Still, he didn’t fully dismiss ‘The Hangman.’ If there is a path, Masvidal believes it involves making the fight chaotic and unpolished.

“Hooker’s gonna have to make it a war to beat him,” he continued, meaning no clean exchanges, no space, and no simple takedowns. But even with that advice on the table, Masvidal’s expectations are clear: until Dan Hooker drags Arman Tsarukyan into a mess, the Armenian will easily walk through this fight.