Arman Tsarukyan Vs. Dan Hooker Preview

Arman Tsarukyan takes on Dan Hooker in a lightweight clash at UFC Qatar, as we preview the upcoming fight. 

This bout would mark Tsarukyan’s return to the octagon since his withdrawal from UFC 311 in January with a back injury, a setback that cost him a rematch against Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan is coming off a victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. Hooker, meanwhile, would be making his first appearance since beating Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 305 in August 2024. Hooker has dealt with injuries, having been scheduled to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 in March but withdrawing due to a hand injury. Hooker is undefeated in his last three, as the Gamrot win followed victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles. 

Pre-Fight

“I think Arman’s going to beat the sht out of Dan Hooker. I don’t have anything against the guy, but I just think there are levels to this game, and Arman is on a completely different level. I don’t respect Dan Hooker because he lied about Islam and the IV sht, and I don’t think he should have did that. But I don’t have anything against him. Do I respect him as a man? No. When he fought Islam, Islam smashed him. I get it, he has to ride with his team and stuff, but he’s a liar. …He has nothing to lose really, but I think Arman is just going to torture him,” Ali Abdelaziz said

“If he comes in arms range of me (during the build up), I’m gonna hit him. That’s the long and short of it, and the fights gonna be off, I don’t care about that. That’s what I’m saying, if you put me near the guy, the fights off, and I feel like he feels the exact same way. “If you put me near the guy I’m gonna try to hit him and throw s— at him and p— him off…. The UFC wants this fight to happen so it’s on them to keep us away from each other,” Hooker stated

The Approach

Tsarukyan’s strategy will involve closing the distance quickly and efficiently behind sharp, low-volume striking to set up his explosive takedowns. Once grounded, Tsarukyan will prioritize positional control and heavy top pressure, focusing on ground-and-pound and avoiding submissions to deplete Hooker’s energy. His work against Oliveira at UFC 300 perfectly exemplifies this tactical approach.

Hooker will look to capitalize on his height and reach advantage. Hooker’s best strategy is to maintain distance, utilizing his long jab and devastating teep kicks to keep Tsarukyan on the end of his punches. He needs to force Tsarukyan to enter his striking range, where he can unleash his knees and hooks. Hooker’s durability will be a major factor. Tactically, Hooker needs to demonstrate perfect takedown defense and superior control in the clinch.

Full Card

Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker (Lightweight)

Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight)

Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield (Light heavyweight)

Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)

Serghei Spivac vs. Shamil Gaziev (Heavyweight)

Alex Perez vs. Asu Almabayev (Flyweight)

Prelims

Bogdan Grad vs. Luke Riley (Featherweight)

Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Rafael Cerqueira (Light heavyweight)

Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (Flyweight)

Bekzat Almakhan vs. Aleksandre Topuria (Bantamweight)

Ismail Naurdiev vs. Ryan Loder (Middleweight)

Nurullo Aliev vs. Shem Rock (Lightweight)

Nicolas Dalby vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (Welterweight)

Marek Bujlo vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)