In a dominant performance that solidified his status as the next lightweight title challenger, Arman Tsarukyan submitted Dan Hooker in the second round to headline the UFC’s historic debut event in Qatar. The card delivered explosive action with multiple highlight-reel finishes and several fighters making major statements in their divisions.
Main Event: Tsarukyan Secures Title Shot
Arman Tsarukyan (23-3) left no doubt about his championship credentials, systematically breaking down veteran Dan Hooker (24-13) before finishing with an arm-triangle choke at 3:34 of the second round. The victory extends Tsarukyan’s winning streak and almost certainly earns him the next shot at the UFC lightweight title, capping off his impressive return after a lengthy layoff.
Arman Tsarukyan TAPS OUT Dan Hooker! 👋#UFCQatar | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/JLJcY7wYqv
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 22, 2025
Co-Main: Machado Garry Stays Undefeated
Ian Machado Garry (17-1) delivered a tactical masterpiece in the co-main event, earning a unanimous decision over Belal Muhammad (24-5). The Irishman used his reach and precision striking to control the distance throughout and position himself for a welterweight title eliminator.
Knockout Artists Shine in Qatar
The card featured several spectacular finishes that left the Qatari crowd in awe. Volkan Oezdemir (21-8) needed just 87 seconds to dispatch Alonzo Menifield with a devastating knee and punches combination, while Waldo Cortes-Acosta (16-2) flattened Shamil Gaziev in a mere 82 seconds with a crushing right hook.
WHAT A KNOCKOUT! 💥
Waldo Cortes-Acosta is ON FIRE! 🔥#UFCQatar | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/ovnYgpPfJH
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 22, 2025
Myktybek Orolbai (15-2-1) also impressed with a spectacular overhand right knockout of Jack Hermansson at 2:46 of the opening round, announcing his arrival in the welterweight division’s upper echelon.
KN😲CKED 😱UT C😵LD!
Myktybek Orolbai just did the business! 🇰🇬#UFCQatar | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/8wEXgrxCyt
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 22, 2025
Liverpool’s Riley Stays Perfect
Highly-touted prospect Luke Riley (12-0) maintained his undefeated record in spectacular fashion, starching Bogdan Grad with a left hook and ground punches just 30 seconds into the second round. The Liverpool native’s performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and signalled he’s ready for ranked competition.
ON THE BUTTON! 🎯
Luke Riley gets the KO in his UFC debut! 🔥#UFCQatar | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/vs1fL97QKf
— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) November 22, 2025
Full UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker Results
MAIN CARD
- Arman Tsarukyan def. Dan Hooker via Submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:34 of Round 2
- Ian Machado Garry def. Belal Muhammad via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Volkan Oezdemir def. Alonzo Menifield via KO (knee and punches) at 1:27 of Round 1
- Myktybek Orolbai def. Jack Hermansson via KO (overhand right) at 2:46 of Round 1
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev via KO (right hook) at 1:22 of Round 1
- Kyoji Horiguchi def. Tagir Ulanbekov via Submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:18 of Round 3
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Luke Riley def. Bogdan Grad via KO (left hook and ground punches) at 0:30 of Round 2
- Nicolas Dalby def. Saygid Izagakhmaev via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Asu Almabayev def. Alex Perez via Submission (guillotine choke) at 0:22 of Round 3
- AbdulRakhman Yakhyaev def. Raffael Cerqueira via Submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:33 of Round 1
- Aleksandre Topuria def. Bekzat Almakhan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Ismail Naurdiev def. Ryan Loder via KO (overhand right) at 1:26 of Round 1
- Nurullo Aliev def. Shaqueme Rock via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Denzel Freeman def. Marek Bujło via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
What’s Next for the Winners?
Arman Tsarukyan now appears destined for a lightweight title shot against the winner of the upcoming championship bout. His dominant performance against a proven veteran like Hooker leaves little doubt he’s ready for the challenge.
Ian Machado Garry’s victory over Muhammad propels him into the welterweight top five and positions him for a potential title eliminator in his next outing. The undefeated prospect continues to live up to the hype with each performance.
The UFC’s debut in Qatar will be remembered for its explosive finishes and the emergence of several new contenders across multiple weight classes, setting up intriguing matchups for 2026.
