Dan Hooker didn’t just accept his UFC Qatar main event; he declared war. Hours after UFC CEO Dana White announced Arman Tsarukyan as his opponent, the Kiwi veteran lit up social media with a chilling five-word warning that immediately set the tone for November 22. What was intended to be Tsarukyan’s simple path back to a title shot has turned into something much darker: a collision with a man who refuses to fade quietly.

The UFC will make its debut in Qatar at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena, with Hooker vs. Tsarukyan as the main event. Dana White introduced the matchup on Instagram Live, describing it as a watershed moment in the lightweight category. Tsarukyan, ranked second, expected a smooth path to another title shot, but Hooker’s presence turns the fight into a high-stakes duel.

‘Ahalkalakets’ enters the Octagon after a four-fight winning streak, including a split-decision victory against former champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He was supposed to face Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, but a last-minute back injury forced him out. Since then, he has kept sharp, working as a backup fighter while chasing his championship goals. ‘Hangman,’ on the other hand, ranked No. 6, has rebounded from a career slump with three straight wins over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner, and Mateusz Gamrot. With momentum on his side, he’s clearly signaling that he’s not here to participate but to dominate. The Kiwi made it crystal clear with the caption on his latest Instagram post.

Sharing their fight poster on Instagram, he wrote the caption, “I’ll cave his head in.” Well, this small sentence is enough for fans to quickly realize that this was more than just bravado; it was a promise. The stakes couldn’t be higher. For Arman Tsarukyan, a win means restoring his place among the division’s top and coming closer to a title fight with Ilia Topuria.

For Dan Hooker, victory would solidify his comeback and prove that ‘The Hangman’ still has lethal intentions. One thing is for sure: this fight is shaping up to be a battle where precision, power, and psychological warfare all collide. And while Hooker is out there sending warning shots towards ‘Ahalkalakets,’ the Armenian is making sure that he stays in peak fighting form to take on any opponent Dana White sends his way.

Arman Tsarukyan further hones grappling skills during UFC layoff

Arman Tsarukyan has not been idle during his UFC layoff. While fans have waited for him to return to the Octagon, the Armenian fighter has quietly honed the very tool that will define his next chapter: his grappling. Each no-gi session, submission match, and controlled bout has been another step toward assuring he returns not only prepared but dominant.

Since April 2024, ‘Ahalkalakets’ has won an astonishing number of grappling matches. He began by defeating Makkasharip Zaynukov at Karate Combat 54 in May, then submitted Bellator veteran Patricky Pitbull with a rear-naked choke weeks later at ADXC 10. Most recently, he used an arm-triangle choke to knock former UFC champion Benson Henderson out at ACBJJ 18.

These high-profile grappling wins prove his commitment to staying sharp and expanding his skill set while out of the UFC spotlight. His recent submission victories are more than just trophies; they provide valuable experience against top-tier grapplers that will translate directly to MMA. As he works on his ground game, Arman Tsarukyan sends a clear message: come fight night, he’ll be well prepared to face any challenges Dan Hooker or other challengers throw at him.