STWF Sports| AL RAYYAN | Nov. 21, 2025 — The UFC Qatar main event was already one of the most anticipated lightweight clashes of the year. But on Friday evening at the official weigh-ins, the rivalry between Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker ignited into full-blown hostility as Tsarukyan marched across the stage and delivered a shocking headbutt to his opponent, forcing security to intervene.
The ABHA Arena will host the lightweight contenders on Saturday night, with championship implications hanging in the balance. Tsarukyan (22–3), the top-ranked 155-pound contender from Armenia, knows that a victory puts him next in line to challenge the reigning champion, Ilia Topuria. Meanwhile, Australia’s No. 6–ranked Hooker (24–12) sees the matchup as his chance to leapfrog the rankings and rewrite the trajectory of his late-career resurgence.
With the stakes this high, tensions were always expected — but few could have predicted the intensity of Friday’s confrontation.
The Headbutt Heard Around Qatar
Both men made weight and stepped forward for the traditional faceoff, but the moment Tsarukyan locked eyes with Hooker, the atmosphere shifted. He stormed toward his rival and launched his forehead into Hooker’s. The impact drew immediate gasps from the crowd. Officials swarmed the fighters before punches could follow.
Hooker, unfazed and fired up, was escorted offstage briefly before returning to address the fans.
“Let’s go, brother,” Hooker shouted. “I love it. Bring it on.”
Tsarukyan responded with a cold confidence that electrified the arena even more.
“I’m going to show a great knockout,” he declared. “I’m going to get my title next.”
The stage is now set for a main event dripping with animosity, pressure, and the promise of violent action.
Tsarukyan’s Road Back to a Title Shot
Saturday’s bout marks Tsarukyan’s return to competition for the first time since his razor-close split decision win over former champion Charles Oliveira in April 2024 — a performance that had earned him a title shot against then-champion Islam Makhachev.
That opportunity slipped away when a back injury forced Tsarukyan to withdraw just 24 hours before fight night.
Since then, Tsarukyan has remained within touching distance of the belt. When Makhachev vacated the lightweight title earlier this year, Tsarukyan served as the backup fighter for the vacant title bout between Topuria and Oliveira, successfully making weight and watching cageside as Topuria dominated Oliveira with a first-round knockout.
Now, with the champion in attendance again on Saturday — along with rising contender Paddy Pimblett — Tsarukyan knows he can’t afford even the slightest misstep.
Hooker Seeks One More Run at Glory
While Tsarukyan has been circling the title picture for years, Dan Hooker is chasing his own comeback story.
The 34-year-old veteran has rebuilt momentum with a three-fight win streak over Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot. However, injuries have kept him sidelined since August 2024.
Saturday’s return is Hooker’s chance to reinsert himself into championship discussions. Known for his durability, aggressive striking, and willingness to trade in the pocket, Hooker presents the type of gritty challenge that could test Tsarukyan in ways few others have.
And after their fiery weigh-in moment, he enters the cage with the added fuel of a personal vendetta.
A High-Stakes Collision Course
With the lightweight belt likely awaiting the winner, the pressure on Tsarukyan and Hooker could not be higher — and Friday’s drama only amplified the tension.
Topuria and Pimblett will be in the building, watching closely. UFC fans worldwide will be tuned in. And both fighters now carry the weight of their heated confrontation into a matchup that was already poised to determine the next rightful challenger.
What began as a title eliminator has transformed into a grudge match.
On Saturday night in Qatar, only one lightweight will leave with momentum — and the other will leave wondering how close they came to a championship dream.
