Tsarukyan headlines UFC Doha vs Hooker Belal Muhammad vs Ian Garry

Arman Tsarukyan will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon on Nov. 22 in Doha, Qatar, headlining the UFC’s inaugural event in the country against Dan Hooker, UFC CEO Dana White announced on Wednesday. The main card will take place at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena, with former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad slated to face Ian Garry in the co-main event.

White announced the matchups during an Instagram Live session, confirming that Tsarukyan and Hooker will headline the promotion’s first visit to Qatar. White has also said Tsarukyan must fight again before receiving another shot at the lightweight title, putting additional stakes on the November bout for the former top contender.

Tsarukyan, 28, has not competed since a split-decision victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April 2024. He was scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt at UFC 311 but withdrew days before the event with a reported back injury. That withdrawal cost him his position as the leading contender; Ilia Topuria subsequently claimed the vacant lightweight title. A victory over Hooker would position Tsarukyan to press his claim for a title opportunity once Topuria’s...