Number-one lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan cemented his status as the top contender in the 155-pound division with an impressive performance to finish New Zealand contender Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.
The Final Verdict: Arman Tsarukyan showcases full skillset in main event win
In his first appearance since UFC 300, where he defeated former champion Charles Oliveira, Tsarukyan showcased sharp striking and relentless wrestling as he broke down Hooker and eventually finished the Kiwi with an arm-triangle choke at the 2:34 mark in Round 2.
The fight wasn’t a totally one-sided matchup, however. Hooker threatened on the mat and twice looked to finish the fight with a guillotine choke. But on both occasions Tsarukyan made the right moves on the mat to escape danger in impressive fashion.
On the feet, Hooker looked to score from range, but despite being the smaller man, it was Tsarukyan who landed the more effective strikes as he outstruck the City Kickboxing product on the feet before eventually finishing him on the mat.
Tsarukyan calls out champion Ilia Topuria after UFC Qatar victory
Following his win over Hooker, Tsarukyan called for a title fight with Ilia Topuria, as he underscored his status as the number-one contender in the lightweight division.
“Thanks (to) Dan, because of him, I fought. I fought this year. (He was the) only guy who wanted to fight me. Everybody has run out, especially Ilia. If you’re here, come on, we gotta face off. There is just one number-one contender, it’s Arman Tsarukyan. Don’t make an easy fight.
“Everybody knows I gotta fight for the title, and I’m ready. At the end of January, just send me a contract. I’ll be there.
“My wrestling is on a different level, my striking is on different level, and nobody can stop me in the cage. I’m the best in the world, and I’m gonna be a champion and defend as the title as much as possible, and make all the records in the UFC, because I work so hard, so smart. I dedicate all my life to this sport. It’s paid off today, and it’s going to pay off a lot.”
What’s next for Arman Tsarukyan?
This could get tricky. The lightweight division should be pretty straightforward. There’s a champion awaiting his first challenge, and there’s a clear number-one contender who is coming off an impressive win. It should be an easy match to make.
But the picture is muddied by the presence of a crowd-pleasing legend, and one of the biggest stars in the division.
Justin Gaethje has done just about everything in the UFC except win a lightweight title, and he’s made clear that he isn’t interested in anything other than a title shot for his next fight.
Then there’s Paddy Pimblett. The Liverpudlian lightweight contender claimed a statement win over Michael Chandler last time out and is in brilliant form. He also already has a heated rivalry with Topuria stemming back to their fighter hotel clash ahead of UFC London a few years back. Either look like easy bookings for the UFC to make, but both are ranked below Tsarukyan.
If merit was the key driver, Tsarukyan will be fighting for the belt next, but whether he’ll get to do so before Gaethje or Pimblett remains to be seen.
UFC Qatar: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 3:34
- Ian Machado Garry def. Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Volkan Oezdemir def. Alonzo Menifield via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:27
- Myktbek Orolbai def. Jack Hermansson via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 2:46
- Waldo Cortes Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:22
- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Tagir Ulanbekov via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:18
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Luke Riley def. Bogdan Grad via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:30
- Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Asu Almabayev def. Alex Perez via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 0:22
- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev def. Rafael Cerqueira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 0:33
- Aleksandre Topuria def. Beksat Almakhan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 1:26
- Nurullo Aliev def. Shem Rock via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Denzel Freeman def. Marek Bujlo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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