Potential matchups for ranked fighters from UFC Fight Night in Qatar

Arman Tsarukyan fights for the lightweight belt

Tsarukyan finished Dan Hooker with a stellar arm triangle in a fun main event. He proved that even after over a year away from the octagon, he still is the No. 1 lightweight contender. 

Tsarukyan deserves to fight for the title next. In his post-fight octagon interview , he said he wanted to fight champion Ilia Topuria in January. If Tsarukyan can make the quick turnaround, that is the fight to make. 

The UFC may have different ideas in mind. Paddy Pimblett entered the octagon after Topuria won the lightweight belt in June. Pimblett and Topuria have a history of bad blood. The UFC most likely wants to draw in the bigger crowd with Pimblett challenging Topuria. If that ends up being the case, Tsarukyan will probably have another long layoff. There’s no reason for Tsarukyan to take another fight unless it is for the title. He has proven that he is the man to beat.

Ian Garry challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight belt

Garry took on former champion Belal Muhammad and won decisively, scoring a win in every round on two of the judges' scorecards. Stuffing every takedown from Muhammad is something both former champions in Leon Edwards and Jack Della Maddalena couldn’t do. Garry was able to do this, proving he has a chance to keep the fight standing against Makhachev. Garry is becoming undeniable for a title shot at this point. 

Garry took on Carlos Prates earlier in 2025 on short notice and won nearly every round of the five-round bout. Prates is in title contention as well, giving another reason for Garry’s claim. Garry’s only loss on his record was a decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov. 

Rakhmonov has been inactive for nearly a year, and it is most likely that he will need to prove himself again before getting a title shot. Makhachev prefers Kamaru Usman, but Garry seems to be the fight that would be most competitive. 

Waldo Cortes-Acosta fights Alexander Volkov for the No. 1 contender spot

Cortes-Acosta took the fight on two days' notice against Shamil Gaziev and had an impressive knockout. Gaziev is a vicious knockout artist, and Cortes-Acosta shut him down quickly.

Cortes-Acosta has fought five times this year and has shown the UFC he is reliable when needed. This should put him in the mix to challenge for the title soon. 

A great fight would be Cortes-Acosta versus the No. 2 contender, Alexander Volkov. It would be Cortes-Acosta’s toughest test to date with a rangy striker like Volkov. This fight could be on the same card as the rematch of Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. To show appreciation to Cortes-Acosta, the UFC could have him weigh in as the backup fighter in case either main event fighter can’t fight.