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dan hooker claimed that he would make Arman Tsarukyan Look “like an idiot” in them ufc Qatar’s main event, simply by exceeding fans’ expectations.
Hooker, ranked seventh at lightweight, and No. 2-ranked Tsarukyan Will clash on 22nd NovemberAnd the victory of the latter could give him a title opportunity.
Tsarukyan was a day away from challenging then-champion Islam Makhachev in January, but the Armenian withdrew from the fight due to a back injuryMakhachev submitted late replacement Renato Moicano and then vacated the title in May. Ilya Topuria Claimed empty gold in June.
Topuria’s first title defense is up in the air, although it seems likely Justin Gaethje or Paddy Pimblett will now be his first challenger. A case has been filed against Zarukyan as a hooker,
“This fight excites me because he thinks Arman is much better than me,” Hooker told Sky Sports. “It seems like, whatever good I do, Armaan will end up looking like an idiot.
“He was supposed to be a super-freak athlete, a title contender, the guy who beat Ilya Topuria. They’re ‘hiding’ the champion from him – that’s his story.
“And now he’s losing to a guy called Dan Hooker from New Zealand, who’s lost a third of his fights. All I do is make him look more human.
“I feel like he’s the one who has something to prove in this fight, and that’s a tough spot for a fighter to be in [in]I don’t feel like I have to prove myself to everyone, I’m comfortable with who I am. “I’m just excited to beat him, that’s what excites me.”
Hooker, 35, and Tsarukyan, 29, were trading barbs on social media even before their fight was announced.
Hooker will enter UFC Qatar on a three-fight winning streak, most recently winning a split decision against Mateusz Gamrot in August 2024. He was then booked against Gaethje in March, but the Kiwi was forced to pull out of the bout due to a hand injury.
Zarukyan, meanwhile, has not fought since April 2024, when he won by split decision against former champion Charles Oliveira.