Arman Tsarukyan is set to make his return to the octagon after a 19-month hiatus, facing off against Dan Hooker in the main event at UFC Qatar on November 22, 2025. With an intriguing buildup to this fight, Tsarukyan and Hooker have exchanged words, but their faceoff in Doha was surprisingly amicable.
Speculation surrounding the need for heightened security due to some of Hooker’s trash talk has proven unfounded. Tsarukyan, who remains unfazed by his opponent’s jabs, commented in a recent interview, “He can talk whatever he wants, he just makes me laugh.” He emphasized that while he respects the boundaries of trash talk, anything personal would cross a line for him.
As Tsarukyan gears up for this crucial bout, he is acutely aware of the competitive landscape in the lightweight division. With fighters like Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett also vying for a title shot against champion Ilia Topuria, Tsarukyan believes that defeating Hooker will solidify his status as the top contender. “They have to give me a title fight because No. 1 contender beat again a top fighter in main event,” he asserted.
Tsarukyan also reflected on his relationship with the UFC, which faced challenges after he had to withdraw from a title fight against Islam Makhachev due to injury. However, he maintains a positive outlook, stating that the promotion is positioning him for success and has provided him with a new contract that reflects their support. “They wanna make me a champion… Everything is going good,” he said.
Looking ahead, Tsarukyan is eager to make a statement against Hooker, and if given the opportunity to challenge for the title in January, he’s ready to seize it. “If I perform very well and the UFC says, ‘Can you fight in January?’ I’ll take that fight right away,” he declared.
With a promising return on the horizon, Tsarukyan’s focus remains on the fight at hand while keeping an eye on his ultimate goal of becoming the champion. His determination and readiness to compete could make for an exciting night in Qatar.