UFC Qatar recap - Arman Tsarukyan makes Dan Hooker tap in headliner after Ian Machado Garry defeats Belal Muhammad in co-main event

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UFC Fight Night from Qatar saw lightweight number one contender Arman Tsarukyan show he is ready to fight for the title, making Dan Hooker tap in two rounds. Earlier, Irish star Ian Machado Garry defeated the welterweight number two contender and former champion Belal Muhammad. Dominican Republic's Waldo Cortes Acosta secured his second UFC KO in a month, taking out Russian Shamil Gaziev.

'What a statement' - Orolbai claims 'concussive' first round knock out of Hermansson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tsaruykan sets up Topuria clash

Arman Tsarukyan laid a compelling case for a UFC lightweight title challenge against champion Ilia Topuria in 2026 by dominating and submitting Dan Hooker.

There was a fiery build up to the fight with number one contender Tsarukyan aiming a headbutt at Hooker in the face off, but the bout saw superb controlled aggression, leading to a second-round submission.

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After Hooker had good opening moments with kicks and punches from long range, the Armenian, who had not been in the Octagon in 19 months, landed big shots in close and had his opponent on his back in the last half of round one.

Early in the second, Tsarukyan took Hooker to the ground with a single-leg takedown, turned his opponent over, before landing brutal blows and setting up a triangle which saw the New Zealander tap out.

In the co-main event, Ian Machado Garry secured victory over Belal Muhammad in a bout which will intensify the discussion around eye pokes after the former champion took breaks in the first two rounds due to contact with his right eye.

With good defence stopping Muhammad's takedown attempts, Machado Garry just edged at least two of the three rounds to take victory.

Dominican Republic's Waldo Cortes Acosta, on two days' notice, added a second knockout victory in a month, taking out Russian Shamil Gaziev in the first round.

‘No way!’ - Cortes-Acosta knocks out Gaziev with first round ‘thunderbolt’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Finally, in the prelims, Britain's Luke Riley secured a knockout in his first UFC contest, winning in round two against Bogdan Grad.

Everybody knows I have to fight for the title

Arman Tsaruykan wants Ilia Topuria next. He will surely get the chance to fight the Spain-based fighter in the New Year.

Tsarukyan submits Hooker in Round 2

Tsarukyan takes down Hooker in the first minute, rolling over to get on top and lands brutal strikes with Hooker's back on the mat. He ties his opponent's arms and legs, adding big elbows, before locking in a triangle which eventually sees the New Zealander tap.

A complete performance!

Tsarukyan-Hooker: Round 1

Hooker starts off catching Tsarukyan at range with jabs and kicks but the Armenian starts to land big blows in close and then takes Hooker down to the mat, keeping control for the second half of the round. A clash of heads caused a nasty swelling under Hooker's left eye.

Iiiiiiiit's Time!

We are ready to go...

Main Event is next...

Dan 'The Hangman' Hooker (24-12) takes on the number one contender Arman Tsarukyan (22-3).

Makhachev called out!

Machado Garry wins unanimous decision!

He takes the contest on all three judges' scorecards: 30-27 (twice) and 29-28.

Muhammad-Machado Garry: Round 3

Muhammad crowded his opponent with a couple of good shots, but Machado Garry took the momentum with big right hand which he followed up with leg kicks. Machado Garry briefly slips to the mat before again defending takedown attempts. In close, he lands a brutal elbow before a big left hook from Muhammad on the buzzer. Both men lift their arms at the end of the round. You get the feeling Machado Garry will win, but this really should have been a five-rounder to decide a close contest.

Muhammad-Machado Garry: Round 2

Muhammad has control of Machado Garry against the Octagon for a fair bit of time but can't take the Irishman down. Blood now also flowing from Muhammad's nose. Another eye poke leads to Muhammad taking another break, this time for a minute.

Muhammad-Machado Garry: Round 1

An early eye poke from Machado Garry leads to a 1:45 minute break, after the Irishman had landed a couple of good strikes had opened a cut on the other cheek.

Muhammad lands a couple of good right hands as the pair stand up before a calf kick briefly puts the former champ to the floor. Muhammad locks Machado Garry up for a time against the Octagon landing some blows in close which bloody the Irishman's cheek.

A very close opener. A bit of a shame this isn't a five-rounder.

Co-Main Event next...

Ian Machado Garry (16-1) takes on Belal Muhammad (24-4) next. What a fight this is. For my money it should be the main event.

Oezdemir with a Round 1 KO

Another early knockout. It began with a left uppercut-knee-lift combination, leading to a flurry of blows with Menifield's back against the Octagon culminating with a left hook which dropped his opponent to the mat.

Oezdemir-Menifield next

Two top-15 light-heavyweights in action next as Volkan Oezdemir (20-8) fights Alonzo Menifield (17-5-1).

Oralbai knocks out Hermansson!

Clearly the smaller man in the Octagon but it mattered not as the Kyrgyzstan fighter smashed a right hand around the guard of Hermansson catching him on the ear. He went crashing to the ground and the referee jumped in.

'What a statement' - Orolbai claims 'concussive' first round knock out of Hermansson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hermansson-Oralbai next

Jack Hermansson coming down from the middleweight division to fight former lightweight Myktybek Oralbai.

Cortes-Acosta wins via Round 1 KO

This guy is a monster! With his back to the Octagon put the Russian down with a straight right early in the round. Then, after Gaziev got to his feet a huge right knocks him out before his body hits the mat.

He took this fight on two days' notice.

‘No way!’ - Cortes-Acosta knocks out Gaziev with first round ‘thunderbolt’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Big boys up next...

Two brutal hitters meet as heavyweights Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Shamil Gaziev head to the Octagon.

Ulanbekov submits Horiguchi in Round 3

Horiguchi comes straight out and puts his opponent on the deck with a right hand. A big gash opens over the Russian's eye. Ulanbekov defends well on the mat, but Horiguchi retains control. When they get back to their fee, Horiguchi lands with a brutal kick to the shin and he follows up by putting Ulanbekov in a choke hold.

Ulanbekov-Horiguchi: Round 2

Horiguchi taking over as the round goes on. He spends over half of the round in control on the ground. He follows up a kick with a right hand that sees Ulanbekov go to the mat. Shortly after it is a left hook following a kick that sees him take down the Russian who very wearily walks to his corner.

Ulanbekov-Horiguchi: Round 1

Ulanbekov with the best of the opener, with Horiguchi unsettled by his leg kicks in particular. The Japanese fighter landed a big right hand at the end of the round which will give him confidence though.

Ulanbekov-Horiguchi up first

A flyweight contest as rising Russian Tagir Ulanbekov (17-2) takes on experienced Kyoji Horiguchi (34-5).

A big end to the prelims

Liverpool's Luke Riley extended his unbeaten record to 12-0 and achieved a knockout in his first UFC outing, stopping Bogdan Grad in the second round.

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