Overview
- The five-round Tsarukyan–Hooker bout headlines UFC Qatar and has been framed as a de facto title eliminator, with Tsarukyan calling it “like a title fight.”
- Paddy Pimblett, newly up to No. 5 at lightweight after the latest rankings update, argued Justin Gaethje “can’t just demand” a shot and pushed a Topuria grudge match, saying he expects to fight early next year.
- Justin Gaethje’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, warned the UFC that Gaethje may retire if leapfrogged for the next title opportunity, escalating pressure on the booking.
- Hotel footage showed Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan narrowly missing a confrontation hours after Tsarukyan vowed to choke out the undefeated champion.
- Following his late withdrawal from a January title fight, Tsarukyan says his UFC standing is intact with a new deal and that the promotion “wants to make [him] a champion,” despite Dana White’s earlier insistence he earn his way back.